Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AS-PERSE, v.t. [aspers'; L. aspergo, aspersus, of ad and spargo, to scatter; Ar. فَرَجَ faraga, to split, divide, scatter. See Class Brg.]

1. To bespatter with foul reports or false and injurious charges; to tarnish in point of reputation, or good name; to slander or calumniate; as, to asperse a poet or his writings; to asperse a character.
2. To cast upon. – Heywood.