nosing

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of nose

plural nosings

1. An animal's pushing or exploration with the nose.

   The hours of the day often follow such a beginning like a wagging tail follows through the nosings and affections and fireside dreamings of a happy dog.

   1982, Dave Hughes, An Angler's Astoria

2. That part of the treadboard of a stair that projects over the riser.
3. Any similar projection, such as the projecting edge of a moulding.