the aromatic seed of anise, the oil of which(anise oil, aniseed oil, oil of anise) is used in the manufacture of anethole, in medicine as a carminative and expectorant, and in cookery and liqueurs for its licoricelike flavor.
Origin: 1350–1400;Middle Englishanece seed. See anise, seed
Also called: anise the liquorice-flavoured aromatic seeds of the anise plant, used medicinally for expelling intestinal gas and in cookery as a flavouring, esp in cakes and confections