Smell \Smell\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smelled, Smelt; p. pr. & vb. n. Smelling.]

[OE. smellen, smillen, smullen; cf. LG. smellen, smelen, sm["o]len, schmelen, to smoke, to reek, D. smeulen to smolder, and E. smolder. Cf. Smell, n.]

1. To perceive by the olfactory nerves, or organs of smell; to have a sensation of, excited through the nasal organs when affected by the appropriate materials or qualities; to obtain the scent of; as, to smell a rose; to smell perfumes.

2. To detect or perceive, as if by the sense of smell; to scent out; -- often with out. ``I smell a device.'' --Shak.

Can you smell him out by that? --Shak.

3. To give heed to. [Obs.]

From that time forward I began to smellthe Word of God, and forsook the school doctors. --Latimer.

To smell a rat, to have a sense of something wrong, not clearly evident; to have reason for suspicion. [Colloq.]

To smell out, to find out by sagacity. [Colloq.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Smelling \Smell"ing\, n.

1. The act of one who smells.

2. The sense by which odors are perceived; the sense of smell. --Locke.

Smelling bottle, a small bottle filled with something suited to stimulate the sense of smell, or to remove faintness, as spirits of ammonia.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)