Definition of sniff

The word "sniff" originated in Old English, where it was spelled as "snifan" or "snifan." It came from the Old English verb "snifan," which meant "to smell" or "to inhale through the nose." The Old English root "snif-" is of uncertain origin, but it is believed to be a borrowing from the Germanic language, which is related to Old English. The Germanic word "snifian" also meant "to smell" or "to inhale through the nose." The verb "sniff" had several meanings in Old English. It could mean "to smell" or "to seek out a scent by smelling," as in the hound's act of searching for game. It could also mean "to smoke" or "to inhale tobacco smoke," as in the phrasing "he sniffed a pipe." Over time, the meaning of "sniff" evolved to include the sense of "to smell something with curiosity or suspicion," as in the modern usage of "she sniffed the air suspiciously." It also came to mean "to take small, quick sips," as in the expression "he sniffed his drink." The use of "sniff" to mean "to do drugs by inhaling through the nose" is a more recent development, particularly with the rise of cocaine and other such substances in the 20th century. Overall, the origin of "sniff" can be traced back to its Old English roots, where it had multiple meanings that have evolved and adapted over time in the English language.