What term refers to the act of charging someone maliciously?

The term that refers to the act of charging someone maliciously is "calumniate." This word specifically means to make false and defamatory statements about someone, often with the intent to harm their reputation. When someone calumniates another, they are engaging in a wrongful act of slander or libel, effectively accusing the person of wrongdoing without any basis in truth.

Understanding the context of the other options can clarify why this choice is particularly fitting. For instance, "cadge" means to obtain something by begging or urging, which is unrelated to any malicious actions. "Aspersion" refers to a damaging or derogatory remark, but it does not specifically denote the act of making false charges; rather, it is a broader term that may encompass various negative statements. "Assay" pertains to testing or analyzing something, typically in a scientific context, and thus does not relate to accusations or malicious behavior.

Therefore, "calumniate" stands out as the precise term that captures the essence of making malicious charges against someone.