Befriend, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Befriended; p. pr. & vb. n. Befriending.]
To act as a friend to; to favor; to aid, benefit, or countenance. By the darkness befriended. Longfellow.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for befriend; he lists it under help.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.