[f. SNUFF v.2]
1. The action of drawing in air through the nose; sniffing, snuffling.
1540. Morysine, trans. Vives’ Introd. Wysd., F iij b. What snuffynge of the nose, what grennynge of the tethe.
1609. W. M., Man in Moon (1849), 11. He … keepeth such a snuffing and puffing.
a. 1616. Beaum. & Fl., Custom of Country, IV. iv. You seem to have a snuffing in your head Sir, A parlous snuffing.
1661. Evelyn, Fumifugium (1825), 225. Is there under heaven such coughing and snuffing to be heard, as in the London churches and assemblies of people?
1856. Mayne Reid, Hunters’ Feast, xxii. 183–4. I heerd now and then the snuffin’ o’ the bar.
fig. 1573. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 32. Seeming nether to be ignorant of the contents of them [letters] nor of M. Nuces snuffing at them.
c. 1584. Robinson’s Handful Delights (Arb.), 35. And do not snuffe though I be plaine,… For huffing and snuffing deserueth blame.
b. pl. Mucus collected in this way. rare–1.
1598. Florio, Mocci, the snots or snuffings of ones nose.
2. The action or practice of taking snuff.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. 419. Intoxicated with bibbing, but more with talking, and snuffing of powder.
1830. Marryat, King’s Own, II. xv. 228. Snuffing’s a vile habit,—I wish I could leave it off.
1859. Habits of Gd. Society, vii. 252. Sneezing brings me to snuffing, which is an obsolete custom, retained only by a few old gentlemen.
1860. Tristram, Gt. Sahara, xii. 203. Hence the prohibition of smoking, snuffing, and coffee.
