Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “besmut” come from?

besmut (English) comes from English smut, from Middle English smutten — to defile, debase.

besmut (English): To blacken with smut; foul with soot

Definitions

  1. To blacken with smut; foul with soot

Ancestry of “besmut”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsmutSoot; A flake of ash or soot; Sexually vulgar...
2Middle Englishsmuttento defile, debase
Every word from Middle English smutten →