what is the meaning of sniffing

1. a. To inhale a short, audible breath through the nose, as in smelling something.b. To sniffle.2. To use the sense of smell, as in savoring or investigating: sniffed at the jar to see what it held.3. To regard something in a contemptuous or dismissive manner: The critics sniffed at the adaptation of the novel to film.4. Informal To pry; snoop: The reporters came sniffing around for more details.v.tr.1. To inhale forcibly through the nose: sniffed the cool morning air.2. To smell, as in savoring or investigating: sniffed the lilacs; sniffed the breeze for traces of smoke.3. To perceive or detect by or as if by sniffing: dogs that sniffed out the trail through the snow; sniffed trouble ahead.4. To utter in a contemptuous or haughty manner: The countess sniffed her disapproval.n.1. An instance or the sound of sniffing.2. Something sniffed or perceived by or as if by sniffing; a whiff: a sniff of perfume; a sniff of scandal.