rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybefoulMaking impure
verb

befoul

bih-FOWL/bɪˈfaʊl/

To make dirty or impure.

Muddy waste from the tipped container befouls the clear brook.

A clear brook becomes dirty where a tipped container spills muddy waste, obvious pollution, no people.
Etymology
beOld Englishmake, cause
+foulOld Englishunclean, corrupt

The prefix gives the sense “make foul.” The underlying adjective covered both physical uncleanness and corruption, connecting the verb’s literal covering with filth to its use for moral taint.

More examples

  • Oil befouled the rocks along the shore.
  • The factory's smoke befouls the surrounding air.
  • They condemn the vandalism befouling the memorial.

Forms

befoul · befouls · befouled · befouling

Similar words

pollute
Often concerns harmful environmental contamination rather than simple dirt.
soil
Usually means dirtying a surface without severe contamination.