† root-aboutn.School slangObsolete an informal game of football, a kick-about; cf. rootv.2 5.
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1891 Lancing Coll. Mag. Feb. 935/1 The prevalence of shooting at one another a practice in which few indulge, thereby spoiling a rootabout for the rest.
1900 J. S. FarmerPublic School Word-bk. 169Root-about..(The Leys), promiscuous football practice.