Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
STRUGGLE
I. intransitive verb (struggled; struggling)
Etymology: Middle English struglen
Date: 14th century
to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition , to proceed with difficulty or with great effort , struggler noun
II. noun
Date: 1560
contest , strife , a violent effort or exertion ; an act of strongly motivated striving , tussle 1