The [verb that means] to accuse someone falsely. They say that it was called this among Athenians when the fig-plant had first been discovered and because of this they were preventing the export of the figs. Since those revealing those who were exporting [figs] were called "sycophants" ["fig-showers"], it came about that also those who accused people in any manner vexatiously were so called.[1]
Aristophanes [writes]: "these also are small and native". For vexatious prosecution [is] characteristic of Athenians.[2]
Aelian [writes]: "he accused the god of negligence. From such things [he said] diseases and shortages of food prevailed in the [city] of the Himerians."[3]