spar 2 
(spär)
(spär)intr.v. sparred, spar·ring, spars
1.
a. To fight with an opponent in a short bout or practice session, as in boxing or the martial arts.
b. To make boxing or fighting motions without hitting one's opponent.
2. To bandy words about in argument; dispute.
3. To fight by striking with the feet and spurs. Used of gamecocks.
n.
1. A motion of attack or defense in boxing.
2. A sparring match.
[Middle English sparren, to thrust or strike rapidly, perhaps from obsolete French esparer, to kick, from Old Italian sparare, to fling : s-, intensive pref.; see SFORZANDO + parare, to ward off; see PARRY.]