asperse

I don't wish to asperse the fellow, but he does have a background as a Republican staffer and operative.

As for the company at the Wells, he would challenge every man at Epsom, if necessary, if he should dare to asperse his bravery.

We were not long in finding who it was that had been so base as to asperse the character of a family so harmless as ours.

Everything that rancour, low wit, and deplorable ignorance could conceive to asperse my government, was put in execution.

Superior excellence is the general mark for calumny; and envy is usually led to asperse what it cannot imitate.

Wait until your honest Evan comes back before you venture to asperse his lordship's deputy.'