Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
TEND
I. verb
Etymology: Middle English, short for attenden to attend
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb listen , to pay attention ; apply oneself , to act as an attendant ; serve , await , transitive verb to attend as a servant,
2. to apply oneself to the care of ; watch over , to have or take charge of as a caretaker or overseer , cultivate , foster , to manage the operations of ; mind , to stand by (as a rope) in readiness to prevent mischance (as fouling),
II. intransitive verb see: tender
Date: 14th century
to move, direct, or develop one's course in a particular direction , to exhibit an inclination or tendency ; conduce