Smell carrion meat every now and then (5)
I believe the answer is:
aroma
'smell' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'carrion meat every now and then' is the wordplay.
'every now and then' indicates alternate letters (letters selected at regular intervals).
'carrion'+'meat'='carrionmeat'
The alternating letters of 'carrionmeat' are 'AROMA'.
(Other definitions for aroma that I've seen before include "Scent - smell" , "Pervasive quality" , "Subtle quality" , "Perfume" , "particular charm" .)