Waft

To waft a smell is to wave it towards one's nose. You are encouraged to waft smells from test tubes rather than smell directly from them because the noxious chemical inside may burn a hole in your nose if taken in directly.

Waft (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wafted; p. pr. & vb. n. Wafting.] [Prob. originally imp. & p. p. of wave, v. t. See Wave to waver.]

1.

To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon.

But soft: who wafts us yonder? Shak.

2.

To cause to move or go in a wavy manner, or by the impulse of waves, as of water or air; to bear along on a buoyant medium; as, a balloon was wafted over the channel.

A gentle wafting to immortal life. Milton.

Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul, And waft a sigh from Indus to the pole. Pope.

3.

To cause to float; to keep from sinking; to buoy.

Sir T. Browne.

⇒ This verb is regular; but waft was formerly somtimes used, as by Shakespeare, instead of wafted.

© Webster 1913.

Waft, v. i.

To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float.

And now the shouts waft near the citadel. Dryden.

© Webster 1913.

Waft, n.

1.

A wave or current of wind.

Longfellow.

In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains In one wide waft. Thomson.

2.

A signal made by waving something, as a flag, in the air.

3.

An unpleasant flavor.

4. Naut.

A knot, or stop, in the middle of a flag.

⇒ A flag with a waft in it, when hoisted at the staff, or half way to the gaff, means, a man overboard; at the peak, a desire to communicate; at the masthead, "Recall boats."

© Webster 1913.