To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
To obstruct or stop up, as a road; to stop the passage of a highway; to intercept on the road, as goods on the way to market.
To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.
To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.
To deprive (with of).
Something situated or placed in front.
To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted by a presumptuous statement.
Hopefully; a self-directive to undertake the customary action to ward off bad luck.