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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sent, n. [ME and e.m.E. sent (?a1400), sente (Caxton), cent (1509), scent (1682-3), appar. f. F. sentir v. (cf. Sent v.¹), L. sentīre to discern by the senses, to feel, hear, see, etc.]

1. The sense of smell, esp. as used by an animal to track down its prey or quarry. Also fig.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 810.
[The fox] As nature will, seikand his meit be sent c1475 Wall. v 26.
In Gyllisland thar was that brachell brede, Sekyr off sent to folow thaim at flede 1531 Bell.Boece I xli.
Ane rache, that sekis thair pray … be sent and smell of thair neis 1596 Dalr. I 20/28.
Fisches lurking amang the stanes thay [sc. dogs] seik out with thair sent 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii 244.
The horsemen haste with hounds, of sent most rare 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 91/13.
As kynd makkis houndis to follou hairis by sent(2) 1587-99 Hume 19/73.
The smelling nostrels quick of sent, thay smell or they come near All odorsfig. 1630 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 264.
Deir sone, the quiknes of your sent in resenting your fatheris falset and greid is a very quik sent for you heve fund out that never man in erth befoir you did find

2. The odour of a person or animal, as perceived by another or by a pursuer; the trail or track marked out by this odour. 1375 Barb. vi 502.
Fra that he mycht anys fele The kingis sent a1500 Henr. Fab. 1982.
‘Schir,’ said the foxe … ‘Ane lang space fra thame thay will feill my sent’ c1475 Wall. v 141.
Rycht wa thai [sc. the Englishmen] war that losyt was thair sent 1513 Doug. iv Prol. 60.
The stonyt hors That, by the sent of a meyr far of syght, He bradis brays onon 1531 Bell. Boece I xlii.
The thevis oftimes cors the watter … to caus the hound to tine the sent of thaim

3. A smell or odour of particular sweetness or repulsiveness. 1609 Grahame Anat. Hum. 5.
[In Hell] thy smell which was fed with rare muske … shall now be perfumed with stink and sent of most intollerable filthines 1634 Fugitive Poetry II ix 11/6.
In that sweet grove of oranges, whose sent perfumes all Europe c1650 Fugitive Poetry II xxxii 9/9.
And his kind friends only themselves content, On th'oderiferous sweetnesse of his sent