[f. prec. sb.]
1. trans. To wash or color with a black liquid.
c. 1770. Used by H. Walpole.
1861. W. H. J. Weale, in Times, 12 July, 5/6. The Gueux whitewashed the façades. But they also blackwashed the paintings of Van Eyck and Memlinc.
2. fig. To blacken the character of; to asperse, calumniate. (Cf. whitewash.)
1869. St. Clair & Brophy, Resid. Bulgaria, Pref. p. vii. The Rayah has been too much whitewashed whilst the Turk has been too much blackwashed by his enemies.
1875. Helps, Soc. Press., xii. 160. He black-washes the whole human race.