Smell (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Smelled (?), Smelt (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Smelling.] [OE. smellen, smillen, smullen; cf. LG. smellen, smelen, smölen, 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.
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. — To smell out, to find out by sagacity.