Scrim"mage (?; 48), n. [A corruption of skirmish. "Sore scrymmishe." Ld. Berners.] [Written also scrummage.] 1. Formerly, a skirmish; now, a general row or confused fight or struggle.

2. (Football) The struggle in the rush lines after the ball is put in play.

Scrim"mage (?; 48), n. [A corruption of skirmish. "Sore scrymmishe." Ld. Berners.] [Written also scrummage.] 1. Formerly, a skirmish; now, a general row or confused fight or struggle.

2. (Football) The struggle in the rush lines after the ball is put in play.

• a rough fight
  
• in some team sports, especially soccer, a practice game which does not count on a team's record.
  
• in American football or Canadian football, a play that begins with a snap from the center while opposing teams are on either side of a line of scrimmage.