The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tend \Tend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tended; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Tending.] [Aphetic form of attend. See Attend, Tend to
   move, and cf. Tender one that tends or attends.]
   1. To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the
      wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds
      tend their flocks. --Shak.
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            And flaming ministers to watch and tend
            Their earthly charge.                 --Milton.
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            There 's not a sparrow or a wren,
            There 's not a blade of autumn grain,
            Which the four seasons do not tend
            And tides of life and increase lend.  --Emerson.
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   2. To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.
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            Being to descend
            A ladder much in height, I did not tend
            My way well down.                     --Chapman.
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   To tend a vessel (Naut.), to manage an anchored vessel when
      the tide turns, so that in swinging she shall not entangle
      the cable.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tending
    adj 1: (usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward; "he
           is apt to ignore matters he considers unimportant"; "I am
           not minded to answer any questions" [syn: apt(p),
           disposed(p), given(p), minded(p), tending(p)]
    n 1: the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone
         or something; "no medical care was required"; "the old car
         needs constant attention" [syn: care, attention, aid,
         tending]