1. (n.) Formerly, a skirmish; now, a general row or confused fight or struggle.

2. (n.) The struggle in the rush lines after the ball is put in play.

action aerial combat affray armored combat battle battle royal brawl broil brouhaha brush bullfight clash clash of arms cockfight combat conflict disturbance dogfight donnybrook donnybrook fair embroilment exchange of blows fight fire fight fracas fray free-for-all ground combat hand-to-hand combat hand-to-hand fight house-to-house combat knock-down-and-drag-out melee naval combat passage of arms pitched battle quarrel riot row ruckus ruction rumble rumpus running fight scramble scrap scuffle set-to shoving match skirmish stand-up fight street fight struggle tauromachy tug-of-war tussle