n. & v.
n. 1 a spot or trace of decay, infection, or some bad quality. 2 a corrupt condition or infection.
v. 1 tr. affect with a taint. 2 tr. (foll. by with) affect slightly. 3 intr. become tainted. taintless adj.
[ ME, partly f. OF teint(e) f. L tinctus f. tingere dye, partly f. ATTAINT ]