Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
FEND
I. verb
Etymology: Middle English fenden, short for defenden
Date: 14th century
transitive verb defend , to keep or ward off ; repel , to provide for ; support , intransitive verb to make an effort ; struggle ,
2. to try to get along without help ; shift , to provide a livelihood,
II. noun
Date: 1721
an effort or attempt especially for oneself