- smirch (v.)
- late 15c., "to discolor, to make dirty," perhaps from Old French esmorcher "to torture," perhaps also "befoul, stain," from es- "out" + morcher "to bite," from Latin morsus, past participle of mordere "to bite" (see smart (v.)). Sense of "dishonor, disgrace, discredit" first attested 1820.