/ ˈskʌfl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
scuffle (with sb) a short and not very violent fight or struggle :
Scuffles broke out between police and demonstrators.
➡ note at fight
■ verb [ v ]
1.
scuffle (with sb) ( of two or more people ) to fight or struggle with each other for a short time, in a way that is not very serious :
She scuffled with photographers as she left her hotel.
2.
[+ adv. / prep. ] to move quickly making a quiet rubbing noise :
Some animal was scuffling in the bushes.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (as a verb): probably of Scandinavian origin; compare with Swedish skuffa to push; related to shove and shuffle .