words to describe smell
Word Origin & History. smell c.1175, emit or perceive an odor, also n., odor, aroma, stench, not found in O.E., perhaps cognate with M.Du. smolen, Low Ger. smelen to smolder (see smolder). OED says no doubt of O.E. origin, but not recorded, and not represented in any of the cognate languages.. Ousted O.E. stenc (see stench) in most senses.