From Middle English *tenden*, a shortening of *attenden* ("to attend to"), via Old French *atendre*, from Latin *attendere* ("to stretch toward, pay attention to") — *ad-* ("toward") + *tendere* ("to stretch"). The "stretch toward" image captures both meanings: physically tending a garden and mentally leaning toward a habit or tendency.

English uses *tend* in two distinct but related senses that sometimes trip up learners. "She tends the fire" means she actively looks after it; "He tends to be late" means it's his usual pattern — no action implied. Both senses are extremely common in everyday speech, news, and literature. Note the related nouns: *tendency*, *attention*, and even *tender* (one who tends) all share the same Latin root.