[f. SNIFT v.] a. The action of sniffing; also attrib. b. (See quot. 1890 and SNIFT sb.)

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c. 1430.  Freemasonry (Halliw. 1840), 36. From spyttynge and snyftynge kepe the also.

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1755.  Johnson, Snuff,… resentment expressed by snifting.

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1849.  Craig, s.v. Snift, The snifting noise made by the air in making its escape.

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1890.  Star, 5 Nov., 4/1. There is no necessity for what under the ordinary system is called ‘snifting’—the process by which the air in the bottles is allowed to escape.

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