nosings

The steps from the ground floor had old-fashioned nickel-plated nosings over carpet worn down to the backing, red fuzz at the edges.

Arcana Magi - c.1: Oryn Zentharis, Seeker of the Truth 2010

The little trim pieces – metal or otherwise – at the front of stairs are called ‘nosings’ in English or at least in American.

tripping 2005

He wants to see the same faces, to read the same books, to do the same things day after day, month after month, while he is writing, so that nothing may break the illusion in which he is living — so that nothing may disturb or disquiet the mysterious nosings about, feelings round, darts, dashes and sudden discoveries of that very shy and illusive spirit, the imagination.

The Death of the Moth, and other essays 2002

"Form flights of stairs to the widths shown with 2-in. wall strings and carriages and 1 1/2-in. treads with nosings and scotia moulding under and 1-in. risers and proper fir carriages three in all including fir brackets."

Try Anything Twice 1938

Then began a patient search by outraged mothers, a series of mournful quests that were destined to continue far into the night; endless nosings and sniffings and caressings, which would keep up until each cow had found her own, until each calf was butting its head against maternal ribs and gaining that consolation which it craved.

Heart of the Sunset Rex Ellingwood Beach 1913

So, for three years or more Chieftain had always had a good-night pat on the flank from Tim, and in the morning, after the currying and rubbing, they had a little friendly banter, in the way of love-slaps from Tim and good-natured nosings from Chieftain.

Horses Nine Stories of Harness and Saddle Sewell Ford 1907

Anita put her arm about his neck and rubbed her cheek against his satin coat, Gamechick receiving her caresses with dignity, as a cavalry charger should, and not with the tender bondings and nosings for lumps of sugar, like Pretty Maid.

Betty at Fort Blizzard Molly Elliot Seawell 1888

And Celia, the unmarried daughter, who always nosed out other people’s secrets, the little things they wished to hide — she was a white ferret with pink eyes, and a nose clotted with earth from her horrid underground nosings and pokings.

A Haunted House, and other short stories 2004