skirmish

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A minor battle in war, as one between small forces or between large forces avoiding direct conflict.
2. n. A minor or preliminary conflict or dispute: a skirmish over the rules before the debate began.
3. v. To engage in a minor battle or dispute.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An irregular fight, especially between small parties; an engagement, in the presence of two armies, between small detachments advanced for the purpose either of drawing on a battle or of concealing by their fire the movements of the troops in the rear.
2. n. Defense.
3. n. Any contention or contest; a preliminary trial of strength, etc.
4. n. Synonyms Rencounter, Brush, etc. See encounter.
5. To fight irregularly, as in a skirmish; fight in small parties or along a skirmishline.
6. To defend one's self; strike out in defense or attack.
7. To be in a position of guarded and cautious attack; fence.

Wiktionary

1. n. military A brief battle between small groups, usually part of a longer or larger battle or war.
2. n. figuratively By extension, any minor dispute.
3. n. A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons.
4. v. To engage in a minor battle or dispute

GNU Webster's 1913

1. v. To fight slightly or in small parties; to engage in a skirmish or skirmishes; to act as skirmishers.
2. n. A slight fight in war; a light or desultory combat between detachments from armies, or between detached and small bodies of troops.
3. n. A slight contest.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a minor short-term fight
2. v. engage in a skirmish