branič

1. (in sports, mostly Croatian usage) defender; back
   Branič je u poslednjem trenutku izbio loptu sa gol-linije. — The defender cleared the ball off the goal line at the last moment.
   Trener je doveo novog štopera i još jednog braniča. — The coach brought in a new centre back and one more defender.
2. formal (general sense) defender; guardian
   Bio je pravi branič svog sela od neprijatelja. — He was a true defender of his village against the enemy.

In the sports sense branič is characteristic mainly of Croatian usage; Serbian media usually say bek (levi/desni bek), štoper, odbrambeni igrač, defanzivac. For a defence lawyer Serbian uses branilac, not branič.