The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Combat \Com"bat\ (? or ?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Combated;
   p. pr. & vb. n. Combating.] [F. combattre; pref. com- +
   battre to beat, fr. L. battuere to strike. See Batter.]
   To struggle or contend, as with an opposing force; to fight.
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         To combat with a blind man I disdain.    --Milton.
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         After the fall of the republic, the Romans combated
         only for the choice of masters.          --Gibbon.
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