The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Obtend \Ob*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtended; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Obtending.] [L. obtendere, obtentum, to stretch or place
   before or against; ob (see Ob-) + tendere to stretch.]
   1. To oppose; to hold out in opposition. [Obs.] --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To offer as the reason of anything; to pretend. [Obs.]
      --Dryden
      [1913 Webster]