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 not sure about the 'at' bit.
'numbers edited' is the wordplay.
'numbers' becomes 'nos' (no. is a kind of number).
'edited' becomes 'ed' (publishing abbreviation).
'nos'+'ed'='NOSED'
'but' is the 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.)" .)