Spat
/spæt/noun
A short, petty argument or quarrel.
Did you know?The word is a shortened form of the past tense of *spit*, and the insult-flavored sense of a brief quarrel grew out of the sharp, contemptuous idea of “spitting” at someone.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
spittan
“to spit”
Middle English
ME
spatten
“spat; spit out”
16th Century
English
spat
“the act of spitting; a small quantity spat out”
19th Century
English
spat
“a brief quarrel or fit of anger”
Modern English
English
spat
“a petty argument or quarrel”