An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Scharmützel

by Friedrich Kluge

Scharmützel, n., ‘skirmish,’ from the equiv. MidHG. scharmützel, scharmutzel, m., which, like Du. schermutseling, are derived from Ital. scarmuccia (Fr. escarmouche), ‘skirmish,’ which again comes from Ital. schermire, ‘to fight.’ The ultimate origin of the word is OHG. and MidHG. schirmen, ‘to fight.’ Comp. further E. skirmish.