The word "scent" refers to a distinctive smell, particularly one that is pleasant or a characteristic fragrance. It can also describe the act of detecting or identifying an aroma, often through the sense of smell. In nature, animals and humans alike use scent to gather information about their environment, recognize food, or communicate with each other.
The word "scent" originates from the Latin word "scentire," which means "to perceive" or "to smell." It evolved through Middle English as "scent," used to denote a distinct smell or resemblance to a particular fragrance.