sparring

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of spar

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The act of one who spars.

   “Albeit he is under the influence of the magic juice, Lysander's words to Hermia — once he has switched his romantic allegiance to Helena — are bitter, cruel. At times Benedick and Beatrice's verbal sparrings drip with an acidity that smarts.”