Skirmish

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A slight fight in war; a light or desultory combat between detachments from armies, or between detached and small bodies of troops.

2. A slight contest. They never meet but there's a skirmish of wit. Shak.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To fight slightly or in small parties; to engage in a skirmish or skirmishes; to act as skirmishers.