SCRIMMAGE
melee, scrimmage, battle royal
(noun) a noisy riotous fight
scrimmage
(noun) (American football) practice play between a football team’s squads
scrimmage
(verb) practice playing (a sport)
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
scrimmage (plural scrimmages)
A rough fight.
(United States) In some team sports, especially soccer, a practice game which does not count on a team's record.
In American football or Canadian football, a play that begins with a snap from the center while opposing teams are on either side of a line of scrimmage.
Synonyms
• See also fight
Verb
scrimmage (third-person singular simple present scrimmages, present participle scrimmaging, simple past and past participle scrimmaged)
To have, or be involved in, a scrimmage.
Source: Wiktionary
Scrim"mage (; 48), n. Etym: [A corruption of skirmish. "Sore
scrymmishe." Ld. Berners.]] [Written also scrummage.]
1. Formerly, a skirmish; now, a general row or confused fight or
struggle.
2. (Football)
Definition: The struggle in the rush lines after the ball is put in play.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition