Now dial. and U.S. [Of obscure origin.]
1. trans. † a. To cure (herring) by smoking. Obs.–1
Halliwell’s ‘Smudge, to stifle. North.’ is not otherwise certified.
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, Wks. (Grosart), V. 239. In the craft of catching or taking it, and smudging it (marchant- and chapman-able as it should be), it sets a-worke thousands.
b. U.S. To make a smoky fire in (a tent, etc.); to fill with smoke from a smudge.
1891. in Cent. Dict.
2. intr. To smolder.
1825. Brockett, N. C. Gloss., Smudge, to burn without a flame, or any appearance of fire, except smoke.
1892. Whitby Gaz., 13 May, 2. The bed and bed-clothes which burned and smudged for a considerable time before the fire was extinguished.
