Bushwhack

to make one’s way through woods by cutting at undergrowth, branches, etc.
to travel through woods.
to pull a boat upstream from on board by grasping bushes, rocks, etc., on the shore.
to fight as a bushwhacker or guerrilla in the bush.
to fight as a bushwhacker; ambush.
to defeat, especially by surprise or in an underhanded way:
They bushwhacked our high school team when they used college players.
Historical Examples

Slim Evans and his Horse Lightning Graham M. Dean
Slim Evans and his Horse Lightning Graham M. Dean

verb
(transitive) (US & Canadian, Austral) to ambush
(intransitive) (US & Canadian, Austral) to cut or beat one’s way through thick woods
(intransitive) (US & Canadian, Austral) to range or move around in woods or the bush
(intransitive) (US & Canadian) to fight as a guerrilla in wild or uncivilized regions
(intransitive) (NZ) to work in the bush, esp at timber felling

To assault, esp from ambush: Two guys jumped out and bushwhacked him
To attack violently: After that speech the President felt bushwhacked