'asperse' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aspergere' (past participle 'aspersus'), where 'ad-' (a-) meant 'to/toward' and 'spargere' meant 'to scatter' or 'to sprinkle'.

'asperse' changed from Medieval Latin/Late Latin forms such as 'aspersare' and was influenced by Old French forms before becoming the modern English word 'asperse' via Middle English.

Initially it meant 'to sprinkle (with water)'; over time the sense shifted metaphorically to 'to scatter dirt over' and thus 'to attack or sully someone's reputation,' which is now its primary sense in modern English.