Shakespeare had used the word "slut" nearly a year before he wrote sonnet 55 when he wrote Timon of Athens. In the play, Timon associates the word "slut" with "whore" and venereal disease. Associating "sluttish" with venereal disease makes Shakespeare's use of the word "besmeared" more specific.
Shakespeare employed the term 'slut' about a year prior to composing sonnet 55 in his play Timon of Athens. In the play, Timon links 'slut' with 'whore' and venereal disease. By connecting 'sluttish' with venereal disease, Shakespeare's use of 'besmeared' becomes more precise.