[f. SNIFT v.] a. The action of sniffing; also attrib. b. (See quot. 1890 and SNIFT sb.)
c. 1430. Freemasonry (Halliw. 1840), 36. From spyttynge and snyftynge kepe the also.
1755. Johnson, Snuff, resentment expressed by snifting.
1849. Craig, s.v. Snift, The snifting noise made by the air in making its escape.
1890. Star, 5 Nov., 4/1. There is no necessity for what under the ordinary system is called sniftingthe process by which the air in the bottles is allowed to escape.