TAINTING

To contaminate or corrupt (something) with an external agent, either physically or morally.

To spoil (food) by contamination.

To be infected or corrupted; to be touched by something corrupting.

To damage, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner.

To hit or touch lightly, in tilting.

To thrust ineffectually with a lance.