Fennel \Fen"nel\ (f[e^]n"n[e^]l), n. [AS. fenol, finol, from L. feniculum, faeniculum, dim. of fenum, faenum, hay: cf. F. fenouil. Cf. Fenugreek. Finochio.]

(Bot.) A perennial plant of the genus F[ae]niculum (F. vulgare), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds.

Smell of sweetest fennel. --Milton.

A sprig of fennel was in fact the theological smelling bottle of the tender sex. --S. G. Goodrich.

Azorean, or Sweet, fennel, (F[ae]niculum dulce). It is a smaller and stouter plant than the common fennel, and is used as a pot herb.

Dog's fennel (Anthemis Cotula), a foul-smelling European weed; -- called also mayweed.

Fennel flower (Bot.), an herb (Nigella) of the Buttercup family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the fennel. N. Damascena is common in gardens. N. sativa furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc., in India. These seeds are the ``fitches'' mentioned in Isaiah (xxviii. 25).

Fennel water (Med.), the distilled water of fennel seed. It is stimulant and carminative.

Giant fennel (Ferula communis), has stems full of pith, which, it is said, were used to carry fire, first, by Prometheus.

Hog's fennel, a European plant (Peucedanum officinale) looking something like fennel.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)