proteger
/pɾoteˈxeɾ/ · A2 · verb
to protect, to defend
🛡️ proteger = protect: Latin pro (in front) + tegere (to cover)
From Latin protegere, to cover in front. English protect comes from the same verb, so the two are cognates. The same root tegere gives Spanish techo (roof) and teja (roof tile): things that cover.