skirmish
//ˈskɜːmɪʃ//
Noun
skirmishSingular
skirmishesPlural
1
A brief, unplanned fight or clash, especially between small groups of soldiers or opposing parties.
A skirmish broke out between the two groups near the border.
2
A minor or preliminary conflict or dispute.
There was a skirmish between the two departments over the budget allocation.
Verb
skirmishInfinitive
skirmishPresent tense
skirmishedPast tense
skirmishedPast participle
skirmishingPresent participle
skirmishesThird-person singular
1
To engage in a skirmish; to fight briefly or in a minor encounter.
The two patrols skirmished near the border before retreating.