Skirmish Definition

skûrmĭsh

skirmished, skirmishes, skirmishing

noun

skirmishes

A brief fight or encounter between small groups, usually an incident of a battle.

Webster's New World

Any slight, unimportant conflict; brush.

Webster's New World

A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

verb

skirmished, skirmishing

To take part in a skirmish.

Webster's New World

To engage in a minor battle or dispute.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Skirmish

Singular:

skirmish

Plural:

Middle English skirmisshe alteration (influenced by Middle English skirmisshen to brandish a weapon) of skarmush from Old French eskarmouch from Old Italian scaramuccia of Germanic origin sker-¹ in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French escarmouche (“skirmish"), from Italian scaramuccia, earlier schermugio.

From Wiktionary