empest
/ɪmˈpɛst/ /ɛmˈpɛst/(also impest) Now rare
verb
[with object] To infect with plague, pestilence, etc.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in William Fowler (d. 1612), writer and courtier. From French empester to corrupt (a person) morally, to infect (a person) with a contagious disease, e.g. plague or pestilence from em- + peste.