had been tussling

• past perfect progressive

  past perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.

  of tussle.
  tussle

  verb (used without object)

  to struggle or fight roughly or vigorously; wrestle; scuffle.

Related Words

• brawl
• fray
• free-for-all
• scuffle
• skirmish
• strife