scrimmage Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (American football) practice play between a football team's squads
  2. noun a noisy riotous fight
    melee; battle royal.
  3. verb practice playing (a sport)

WordNet

Scrim"mage noun
Etymology
A corruption of skirmish. "Sore scrymmishe." Ld. Berners.]
Definitions
  1. Formerly, a skirmish; now, a general row or confused fight or struggle.
  2. (Football) The struggle in the rush lines after the ball is put in play.

Webster 1913