fist·i·cuff \ˈfistə̇ˌkəf, -tēˌ-\noun (-s) Etymology: alteration of earlier fisty cuff, from fisty + cuff (blow) 1.: a blow with the fist or hand 2.fisticuffsplural but singular or plural in construction: a fight with the fists : boxing < intervillage or camp disputes were settled by fisticuffs — R.P.Schaedel >