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whiff

1. A sudden expulsion of air from the mouth; a quick puff or slight gust, as of air or smoke. But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword The unnerved father falls. (Shak) The skipper, he blew a whiff from his pipe, And a scornful laugh laughed he. (Longfellow)

2. A glimpse; a hasty view.

3. (Science: zoology) The marysole, or sail fluke.

Origin: OE. Weffe vapor, whiff, probably of imitative origin; cf. Dan. Vift a puff, gust, W. Chwiff a whiff, puff.