defame

Etymology

From Middle English defamen, from Anglo-Norman defamer (verb), defame (noun), and its source, Latin diffāmō, from fāma (“fame; rumour; reputation”).

verb

1. To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.
   My guilt thy growing virtues did defame; / My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name.
2. (now chiefly historical) To charge; to accuse (someone) of an offence.
   Rebecca is […] defamed of sorcery practised on the person of a noble knight.
3. To harm or diminish the reputation of; to disparage.
   to defame somebody

noun

1. (now rare, archaic) Disgrace, dishonour.
   And all the sparks that may bring unto flame / Hate betwixt man and wife, or breed defame. 1613, John Marston, William Barksted, The Insatiate Countess, I.1
2. (now rare or nonstandard) Defamation; slander, libel.