from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Distain \Dis*tain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distained}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Distaining}.] [OE. desteinen, OF. desteindre to take
away the color, F. d['e]teindre; pref. des- (L. dis-) + F.
teindre to tinge, dye, L. tingere. See {Tinge}, and cf.
{Stain}.]
To tinge with a different color from the natural or proper
one; to stain; to discolor; to sully; to tarnish; to defile;
-- used chiefly in poetry. "Distained with dirt and blood."
--Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
[She] hath . . . distained her honorable blood.
--Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
The worthiness of praise distains his worth. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]