Fends off
I believe the answer is:
repels
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">fends off</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for repels that I've seen before include "Drives away from lepers" , "Forces back" , "Disgusts or drives away" , "Drives back or disgusts (6)" .)