Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
COMBAT
I. noun
Etymology: Anglo-French, from combatre to attack, fight, from Vulgar Latin *combattere, from Latin com- + battuere to beat
Date: 1546
a fight or contest between individuals or groups, conflict , controversy , active fighting in a war ; action ,
II. verb (-bated or -batted; -bating or -batting)
Date: 1564
intransitive verb to engage in combat ; fight , transitive verb to fight with ; battle , to struggle against, see: oppose
III. adjective
Date: 1825
relating to combat , designed or destined for combat