Smudge \Smudge\, n. [Cf. Dan. smuds smut, E. smutch, or smoke.] 1. A suffocating smoke. --Grose.
2. A heap of damp combustibles partially ignited and burning slowly, placed on the windward side of a house, tent, or the like, in order, by the thick smoke, to keep off mosquitoes or other insects. [U. S.] --Bartlett.
3. That which is smeared upon anything; a stain; a blot; a smutch; a smear.
Smudge \Smudge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Smudged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Smudging}.] 1. To stifle or smother with smoke; to smoke by means of a smudge.
2. To smear; to smutch; to soil; to blacken with smoke.
Farmers overnight fired up smudge pots, turned on wind machines and called in helicopters to protect their crops from frost damage. Threatened were grapes, strawberries, grapefruit, oranges and peppers.