broken-field

[broh-kuh n-feeld]

adjective Football.

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.

Origin of broken-field

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

broken field

noun

open field.

Origin of broken field

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for broken-field

Historical Examples of broken-field

The left half, Cox, was a broken-field runner of renown as well as Claflin's best goal-kicker.
Left Guard Gilbert
Ralph Henry Barbour