1400-1500Middle Dutchbolwerc, from Middle Low German, from bole ‘flat piece of wood’ + werc ‘work’
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
Community is essential; it is the one bulwark against inevitable grief and loss.
His gnarled hands throttled the bulwarks.
Luch and Ruari had to supply ten pounds of wax, to polish the bulwarks.
Over the bulwark of his body, Sylvie waved to Alexei.
Their cannon were very evident, as they closed, crews lining the bulwarks.
This provides a necessary bulwark against the danger of an all-powerful state invading the individual's liberty.
Until then the security forces remain the ultimate bulwark against the breakdown of society.
1something that protects you from an unpleasant situationbulwark against a bulwark against dictatorship2bulwarks [plural] the sides of a boat or ship above the deck3a strong structure like a wall, built for defence