1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Scent

SCENT, an odour or smell, particularly a fragrant liquid distilled from flowers, &c., used as a perfume (see Perfumery). The word should be properly spelled “ sent,” and is derived from the Mid. Eng. verb senten, to scent, to perceive by the sense of smell, Fr. sentir, Lat. sentire, perceive by the senses. The intrusive c appears in the 17th century, and is paralleled by the same in "scythe" for sythe. For the physical causes of the sensation caused by a scent see Smell, and for the anatomy of the organs concerned see Olfactory System.