i-adjective
smelling of mud; earthy smell
Literal smell of mud or earth, often used for unwashed produce, a person after outdoor work, or a damp earthy odor.
雨上がりの庭は泥臭い匂いがする。
The garden smells earthy after the rain.
彼の作業着は汗と泥臭さでいっぱいだっ
His work clothes were full of sweat and a muddy smell.
i-adjective
unrefined; crude; rough around the edges
Describes a person, skill, or work that lacks polish or sophistication; often used positively for earnest, unpretentious effort.
彼の演技はまだ泥臭いけど、一生懸命さが伝わる。
His acting is still rough around the edges, but you can feel his earnest effort.
泥臭いやり方でも、結果が出ればそれでいい。
Even if the method is crude, it's fine as long as it gets results.