affray vb. (arch.) startle, frighten. XIV. — AN. affraier, OF. esfrëer, effrëer (mod. effrayer) :- Rom. *exfridāre, f. L. EX-1 + Rom. *fridus — Gmc. *friþuz peace; see AFRAID.
So affray sb. XIV. — AN. affrai, for OF. esfrei, effrei, f. the vb. Aphetic FRAY1.

AFFRAY

A criminal offense generally defined as the fighting of two or more persons in a public place that disturbs others.

The offense originated under the common law and in some jurisdictions has become a statutory crime. Although an agreement to fight is not an element of the crime under the common-law definition, some statutes provide that an affray can occur only when two or more persons agree to fight in a public place.

An affray is a type of disorderly conduct and a breach of the peace since it is conduct that disturbs the peace of the community. It is punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.

af·fray / əˈfrā/ • n. Law , dated an instance of group fighting in a public place that disturbs the peace: Lowe was charged with causing an affray.