Avenge

To punish or harm someone in return for a wrong they did to you or someone you care about.

From Old French 'avengier,' which comes from 'a-' (to) and 'venger' (to punish or vindicate), from Latin 'vindicare' (to claim or avenge). The word originally meant to vindicate or justify, but evolved to mean taking retribution. It entered English around the 13th century.