broken field

¹

noun

1. open field.

broken-field

²

[broh-kuhn-feeld]

adjective

Football.

1. performed, as by a ball-carrier, in a wide-open area covered by few defensive players, as opposed to the heavily trafficked area near the line of scrimmage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of broken field¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Origin of broken field²

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25