\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.