Definition of "donnybrook"

But the Hindus turned out and broke their heads; when, finding lawlessness pleasant, Hindus and Muhammadans together raised an aimless sort of Donnybrook just to see how far they could go.

1888, Rudyard Kipling, “His Chance in Life”, in Plain Tales from the Hills, Folio, published 2005, page 56

Sherman's signature caused another donnybrook over the election of a speaker of the House when the 36th Congress convened in December 1859.

1988, James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, Oxford, published 2003, page 200

This was no innocuous donnybrook but a veritable carnival of thuggee.

2002, Joseph O'Connor, Star of the Sea, Vintage, published 2003, page 223

In one of the most thrilling, heart-threatening donnybrook baseball battles in the World Series in recent decades, the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers tried to smother each other in heroics and home runs over four incredible hours Wednesday night in Game 2.

2017, Thomas Boswell, “Hello, Dodgers. We’re the Astros, and this World Series is far from over”, in Washington Post