Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
SCENT
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English sent, from Anglo-French sente, from sentir
Date: 14th century
effluvia from a substance that affect the sense of smell: as, an odor left by an animal on a surface passed over, a characteristic or particular odor,
2. power of smelling ; sense of smell , power of detection ; nose , a course of pursuit or discovery , inkling , intimation , perfume 2, bits of paper dropped in the game of hare and hounds, a mixture prepared for use as a lure in hunting or fishing, see: fragrance scentless adjective
II. verb see: sense
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. to perceive by the olfactory organs ; smell , to get or have an inkling of , to imbue or fill with odor , intransitive verb to yield an odor of some specified kind , to use the nose in seeking or tracking prey