scent out

scent out (third-person singular simple present scents out, present participle scenting out, simple past and past participle scented out)

1. (transitive) To locate by following a scent.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter I, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. In Six Volumes, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: Printed by A[ndrew] Millar, […], OCLC 928184292, book IV:

     To be plain, I much question whether the politician, who hath generally a good nose, hath not scented out somewhat of the utility of this practice.

   • 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet Chapter 4

     'Be careful what you do,' rejoined another man's voice that I did not know, 'lest someone see you digging, and scent us out.'

• sniff out

• countest, ctenotus, outscent