from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Smear \Smear\ (sm[=e]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Smeared}
(sm[=e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Smearing}.] [OE. smeren,
smerien, AS. smierwan, smyrwan, fr. smeoru fat, grease; akin
to D. smeren, OHG. smirwen, G. schmieren, Icel. smyrja to
anoint. See {Smear}, n.]
1. To overspread with anything unctuous, viscous, or
adhesive; to daub; as, to smear anything with oil. "Smear
the sleepy grooms with blood." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. To soil in any way; to contaminate; to pollute; to stain
morally; as, to be smeared with infamy. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. To smudge, blur, or render indistinct (writing, pictures,
etc.).
[PJC]
4. to vilify (a person); to damage (a person's reputation),
especially falsely or by unfair innuendo, and with
malicious intent.
[PJC]