Numbers edited, but sniffed at (5)
I believe the answer is:
nosed
'sniffed at' is the definition.
'nosed' can be an answer for 'sniffed' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm unsure of the 'at' bit.
'numbers edited' is the wordplay.
'numbers' becomes 'nos' ('no' is an abbreviation for number).
'edited' becomes 'ed' (publishing abbreviation).
'nos'+'ed'='NOSED'
'but' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nosed that I've seen before include "Snooped" , "proceeded gingerly" , "Move back or away" , "Started judging wine, say" , "Nodes (anag.)" .)