skir·mish / ˈskərmish/ • n. an episode of irregular or unpremeditated fighting, esp. between small or outlying parts of armies or fleets. ∎  a short argument: there was a skirmish over the budget.• v. [intr.] [often as n.] (skirmishing) engage in a skirmish: reports of skirmishing along the border.DERIVATIVES: skir·mish·er n.

skirmish irregular engagement between small bodies of fighters. XIV. Late ME. (i) skarmuch, aphetic — OF. escar(a)muche — It. scaramuccia, of unkn. orig.; superseded by (ii) skarmich, skyrmish, which were based on OF. eskermiss-, eskirmiss- (whence skirmish vb. XIV) lengthened stem of eskermir, eskirmir — Frankish *skirmjan = OHG. skirmen (G. schirmen) defend. See -ISH2.