Plural of fender; protective barriers or guards, such as bumpers on vehicles or padding on boats, designed to prevent damage from collisions.
From 'fend' (to defend) with '-er' (one who does the action) and then plural '-s'. Originally meant defensive guards or barriers; applied to vehicle parts starting in the automobile age (early 1900s).
The metal panels above your car's wheels are called 'fenders' because they defend the wheels from mud and road debris—but modern fenders barely stick out, so they don't actually fend off much anymore.
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