Aspersion

A damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; an attack on someone's reputation or integrity, typically in the phrase 'cast aspersions.'

From Latin 'aspergere,' meaning 'to sprinkle' or 'to scatter,' the word originally referred to the sprinkling of holy water in religious ceremonies. By the 16th century, it had developed the metaphorical sense of 'sprinkling' criticism or blame upon someone.