smudge2

 
Pronunciation: /smʌdʒ/

noun

North American
  • a smoky outdoor fire that is lit to keep off insects or protect plants against frost: discussions of the merits of various smudges at keeping bugs at bay

Origin:

mid 18th century (in the sense 'suffocating smoke'): related to obsolete smudge 'cure herring by smoking', of obscure origin