scrimmage

(skrim′ij)

noun

a rough-and-tumble fight; tussle; confused struggle
☆ Football
1. line of scrimmage
2. play that begins with the snap from center, with both teams positioned on the line of scrimmage
Rugby scrum
☆ Sports a practice session or game between two different teams or two units of the same team

Origin: altered < skirmish

intransitive verb, transitive verb scrimmaged, scrimmaging

to take part in a scrimmage (against)

Related Forms:

See scrimmage in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Football The contest between two teams from the time the ball is snapped until it is declared dead.
Sports A practice session or informal game, as between two units of the same team.
a. A rough-and-tumble struggle; a tussle.
b. A skirmish.