Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
BATTLE
I. noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English batel, from Anglo-French bataille battle, battalion, from Late Latin battalia combat, alteration of battualia fencing exercises, from Latin battuere to beat
Date: 13th century
battalion , a combat between two persons, a general encounter between armies, ships of war, or aircraft, an extended contest, struggle, or controversy ,
II. verb (battled; battling)
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb to engage in battle ; fight , to contend with full strength, vigor, skill, or resources ; struggle , transitive verb to fight or struggle against, to force (as one's way) by battling, battler noun
III. transitive verb (battled; battling)
Etymology: Middle English batailen, from Anglo-French bataillier to fortify with battlements, from Old French batailles battlemented tower, probably from plural of bataille battle
Date: 14th century
to fortify with battlements