The Collaborative International Dictionary
Controverse
Controverse \Con"tro*verse\, v. t. [L. controversari, fr.
controversus turned against, disputed.]
To dispute; to controvert. [Obs.] ``Controversed causes.''
--Hooker.
Controverse
Controverse \Con"tro*verse\, n. [Cf. F. controverse.]
Controversy. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
controverse
c.1600, from French controversé, from Latin controversus (see controversy).
Wiktionary
controverse
n. (context obsolete English) controversy. vb. (context obsolete English) to controvert