Fending

Defending yourself or managing on your own, often used in the phrase 'fending for yourself' or 'fending off' an attack.

From Middle English 'fenden,' shortened from 'defend' (from Latin 'defendere' meaning 'to ward off'). Over time, 'fend' became its own verb, with the '-ing' form indicating the present participle. It has meant to manage independently since the 1600s.