bouts

1. A period of something, usually painful or unpleasant.

   a bout of drought.

2. A boxing match.
3. An assault (a fencing encounter) at which the score is kept.
4. A roller derby match.
5. A fighting competition.
6. A bulge or widening in a musical instrument, such as either of the two characteristic bulges of a guitar.
7. The going and returning of a plough, or other implement used to mark the ground and create a headland, across a field.

verb

To contest a bout.