Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Skirmish \Skir"mish\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Skirmished}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Skirmishing}.] [OE. skirmishen, scarmishen, OF.
   escremir, eskermir, to fence, fight, F. escrimer, of German
   origin; cf. OHG. scirmen to protect, defend, G. schirmen,
   OHG. scirm, scerm, protection, shield, G. schirm; perhaps
   akin to Gr. ???? a sunshade. Cf. {Scaramouch}, {Scrimmage}.]
   To fight slightly or in small parties; to engage in a
   skirmish or skirmishes; to act as skirmishers.