Al`ter·ca'tion noun [ French altercation , from Latin altercatio .] Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest. 'Stormy altercations .' Macaulay. Syn. -- Altercation , Dispute , Wrangle... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/A/63
altercation 1. A heated or angry dispute; noisy argument or controversy. 2. A vehement quarrel. 3. From Latin altercari 'to dispute (with another)', from alter, 'other'. Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/90/2