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 fortify something with a wall or rampart.
To provide protection of defense for something.
The side of something that provides the most shelter from some prevailing force such as wind, rain, waves, etc.