/ skrʌm; NAmE / noun
1.
(also formal scrum·mage ) a part of a rugby game when players from both sides link themselves together in a group, with their heads down, and push against the other side. The ball is then thrown between them and each side tries to get it.
2.
the group of players who link themselves together in a scrum
3.
( especially BrE ) a crowd of people who are pushing each other :
There was a real scrum when the bus arrived.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: abbreviation of scrummage .