Fennel (noun)

1. A plant of the parsley family, with a tall stem, feathery leaves, and yellow flowers, used in cooking and herbal medicine.
2. The bulbous stem base of the fennel plant, which can be eaten cooked or raw.
3. The seeds of the fennel plant, which have a sweet, anise-like flavor and are used as a spice.

Origin:

Middle english, from old english fenol, from latin feniculum, from feniculus like a little hay, diminutive of fenum hay.

Examples:

1. Fennel is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean cooking.
2. I like to add fennel seeds to my homemade sausage.
3. The fennel bulbs were sliced thin and served raw with a lemon dressing.
4. Fennel is a good source of vitamin C.
5. Fennel tea is said to have soothing properties for the stomach.