aspersion

n. slander, false rumor

Aspersion is the act of sprinkling with water, especially holy water. Aspersion is a method used in baptism as an alternative to immersion or affusion. The word is formed of the Latin aspergere, 'to sprinkle', of ad, 'to', and spargo, 'I scatter'.In addition, aspersion is performed as part of certain rites to remind people of their baptism, such as the renewal of baptismal vows performed by the Roman Catholic Church on Easter.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Noun
1. a disparaging remark; "in the 19th century any reference to female sexuality was considered a vile aspersion"; "it is difficult for a woman to understand a man's sensitivity to any slur on his virility"
(synonym) slur
(hypernym) disparagement, depreciation, derogation
(hyponym) ethnic slur
(derivation) defame, slander, smirch, asperse, denigrate, calumniate, smear, sully, besmirch
(class) pickaninny, piccaninny, picaninny
2. an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
(synonym) calumny, slander, defamation, denigration
(hypernym) attack
(derivation) defame, slander, smirch, asperse, denigrate, calumniate, smear, sully, besmirch
3. the act of sprinkling water in baptism (rare)
(synonym) sprinkling
(hypernym) baptism

n. aspersion, sprinkle

n. perfusion, sprinkling; aspersion