a smell that is only smelt briefly or faintly

I caught a whiff of eau de cologne

a puff or breath of air or smoke

whiffs of smoke emerged from the boiler

(chiefly in baseball or golf) an unsuccessful attempt to hit the ball

get a brief or faint smell of

he whiffed the broth that was simmering on the stove

(chiefly in baseball or golf) try unsuccessfully to hit the ball