- ruck (1)
- "A loose scrum formed around a player with the ball on the ground", Middle English (in the sense 'stack of fuel, heap'): apparently of Scandinavian origin; compare with Norwegian ruke 'heap of hay'.
- ruck (2)
- "Compress or move (cloth or clothing) so that it forms a number of untidy folds or creases", Late 18th century (as a noun): from Old Norse hrukka.
- ruck (3)
- "A quarrel or fight, especially a brawl involving several people", 1950s: perhaps a shortened form of ruction or ruckus.