late 14c., "protection, safety," from Middle French sauvegarde "safekeeping, safeguard" (13c.), from Old French salve, sauve (fem. of sauf; see safe, adj.) + garde "a keeping" (see guard, n.). Meaning "something that offers security from danger" is recorded from late 15c.

mid-15c., from safeguard, n.. Related: Safeguarded; safeguarding.