tussle

Etymology

Related to tousle.

noun

1. A physical fight or struggle.
   And the visiting side appeared to settle quickly as Wayne Routledge, who had a tough tussle with Stevenage left-back Scott Laird, delivered an early cross that Barton drilled goalwards, forcing a decent save from Chris Day. January 8, 2011, Paul Fletcher, “Stevenage 3 - 1 Newcastle”, in BBC
   ..., two young men—field hands—got into a tussle with a white man. 1994, Walter Dean Myers, The Glory Field, page 32
2. A conflict, an argument, a disagreement.

verb

1. To have a tussle.
   The two sets of fans were tussling before the game.
   Olsson and Herd tussled off the ball at a free-kick before Olsson fell to the ground. Assistant referee Darren Cann signalled for a penalty and Dowd sent Herd off to the amazement of the Villa faithful. October 22, 2011, Sam Sheringham, “Aston Villa 1 - 2 West Brom”, in BBC Sport