nosing

American  

[noh-zing] / ˈnoʊ zɪŋ /

noun

Architecture.

1. a projecting edge, as the part of the tread of a step extending beyond the riser or a projecting part of a buttress.

---

nosing British  

/ ˈnəʊzɪŋ /

noun

1. the edge of a step or stair tread that projects beyond the riser

2. a projecting edge of a moulding, esp one that is half-round

---

Etymology

Origin of nosing

First recorded in 1765–75; nose + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

About a year ago, a group of us started holding bonfires at dedicated clearings in the woods, nowhere near enough to houses for parents to come nosing around our flickering flames.

From Literature

Wolf was nosing about in the back of the cave, and Renn was sorting herbs in her lap.

From Literature

She floated across the cove, nosing herself off the shore and bumping from reef to rocks.

From Literature

At the top of the page was a glossy picture of a large black-and-white skunk nosing along a patch of dirt.

From Literature

Sonny, the star Portuguese water dog, went nosing around for a girlfriend when he was supposed to be attending to press obligations in the Long Island living room of his professional dog-show handler, Kimberly Calvacca.

From The Wall Street Journal