Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
ASSIST
I. verb see: stand
Date: 15th century
transitive verb to give usually supplementary support or aid to , intransitive verb to give support or aid , to be present as a spectator ,
II. noun
Date: 1597
an act of assistance ; aid , the action (as a throw or pass) of a player who enables a teammate to make a putout or score a goal, a mechanical or electromechanical device that provides assistance