The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Avert \A*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Averted; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Averting.] [L. avertere; a, ab + vertere to turn: cf. OF.
   avertir. See Verse, n.]
   To turn aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object;
   to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of; as,
   how can the danger be averted? "To avert his ire." --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

         When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many
         discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth
         avert them from the church.              --Bacon.
   [1913 Webster]

         Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. --Prior.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

averting
    n 1: the act of preventing something from occurring; "averting
         danger was his responsibility"
    2: the act of turning yourself (or your gaze) away; "averting
       her gaze meant that she was angry" [syn: aversion,
       averting]