Backbiting

From Middle English bacbiting, bacbitung, equivalent to backbite + -ing.

Full definition of backbiting

Noun

1. The action of slandering a person without that person's knowledge.
• 1303, Robert Manning of Brune, Handlyng synneNo custummable bakbytyng God....
• 1862, Anthony Trollope, Orley FarmNot given to backbiting.

From backbite.

Adjective

1. A person who slanders or speaks badly of a person without that person's knowledge.
• 1580, Thomas Tusser, A hundreth good pointes of husbandrieBackbiting talk that flattering blabs know wily how to blenge.
• 1873, Rhoda Broughton, NancyAm I to have a backbiting wife?

Verb

1. Present participle of backbite