Defame vs Befoul - What's the difference?

Defame is a related term of befoul.

is that defame is to harm or diminish the reputation of while befoul is to make foul; to soil.

(defam)

To harm or diminish the reputation of.

to defame somebody

To render infamous; to bring into disrepute.

* Dryden

My guilt thy growing virtues did defame ; / My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name.

To publish a libel about.

(archaic) To charge; to accuse.

* Rebecca is defamed of sorcery practised on the person of a noble knight.

* See also

* *

(en verb)

To make foul; to soil.

To entangle or run against so as to impede motion.