Tend, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tended; p. pr. & vb. n. Tending.]
 1. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds tend their flocks.
 And flaming ministers to watch and tend
 Their earthly charge.   --Milton.
 There 's not a sparrow or a wren,
 There 's not a blade of autumn grain,
 Which the four seasons do not tend
 And tides of life and increase lend.   --Emerson.
 2. To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.
 Being to descend
 A ladder much in height, I did not tend
 My way well down.   --Chapman.
 To tend a vessel Naut., to manage an anchored vessel when the tide turns, so that in swinging she shall not entangle the cable.