safeguard

noun

1. Something that serves as a guard or protection; a defense.

   “Getting a flu shot is a good safeguard against illness.”

   “[T]he king ſent to the ſea ſixe good ſhippes, well manned and vitayled for the warre: […] for ſaffegarde of the Merchauntes, and other the kinges ſubiectes, that were greuouſly ſpoyled and robbed on the ſea, by Frenchmen, Scottes and other rouers.”

   “An externment of a person is a harsh punishment on him and calls for procedural safeguards against the abuse of power by the authorities.”

2. One who, or that which, defends or protects; defence; protection.

   “Thy sword, the safeguard of thy brother's throne.”

3. A safe-conduct or passport, especially in time of war.

   “the inheritance of their loves and safeguard”

4. (obsolete)The monitor lizard.

   “The same idea is entertained of the Safeguard in America, as of the Monitor in Africa, and other parts of the Old World, […]”

verb

1. To protect, to keep safe.

   “She kept a savings to safeguard against debt and emergencies.”

   “"[...] Crossrail 2 is mothballed. It is safeguarded, it is absolutely not cancelled."”

2. (Ireland, UK, broadly)To implement safeguarding.
3. To escort safely.