The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Deter \De*ter"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deterred; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Deterring.] [L. deterrere; de + terrere to frighten,
   terrify. See Terror.]
   To prevent by fear; hence, to hinder or prevent from action
   by fear of consequences, or difficulty, risk, etc. --Addison.
   [1913 Webster]

         Potent enemies tempt and deter us from our duty.
                                                  --Tillotson.
   [1913 Webster]

         My own face deters me from my glass.     --Prior.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

deter
    v 1: try to prevent; show opposition to; "We should discourage
         this practice among our youth" [syn: deter, discourage]
    2: turn away from by persuasion; "Negative campaigning will only
       dissuade people" [syn: dissuade, deter] [ant: persuade]