From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Altercation \Al`ter*ca"tion\ (?; 277), n. [F. altercation, fr.
L. altercatio.]
Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or
anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest. "Stormy
altercations." --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Altercation, Dispute, Wrangle.
Usage: The term dispute is in most cases, but not
necessarily, applied to a verbal contest; as, a
dispute on the lawfulness of war. An altercation is an
angry dispute between two parties, involving an
interchange of severe language. A wrangle is a
confused and noisy altercation.
[1913 Webster]
Their whole life was little else than a
perpetual wrangling and altercation. --Hakewill.
[1913 Webster]