To provide protection of defense for something.
To fortify something with a wall or rampart.
A defensive wall or rampart.
A defense or safeguard.
A breakwater.
Any means of defence or security.
The planking or plating along the sides of a nautical vessel above her gunwale that reduces the likelihood of seas washing over the gunwales and people being washed overboard.
To persuade somebody not to do (something).
To extinguish the courage of; to dishearten; to depress the spirits of; to deprive of confidence; to deject.
Lack of courage