defaming

transitive verb defamed, defaming

1. to attack or injure the reputation or honor of by false and malicious statements; malign, slander, or libel
2. Archaic to bring infamy on; disgrace
3. Obsolete to accuse

Origin: ME defamen, diffamen < OFr diffamer or ML defamere, both < L diffamare < dis-, from + fama: see fame