The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Anise \An"ise\ ([a^]n"[i^]s), n. [OE. anys, F. anis, L. anisum,
   anethum, fr. Gr. 'a`nison, 'a`nhqon.]
   1. (Bot.) An umbelliferous plant (Pimpinella anisum)
      growing naturally in Egypt, and cultivated in Spain,
      Malta, etc., for its carminative and aromatic seeds.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The fruit or seeds of this plant.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Pimpinella anisum
    n 1: native to Egypt but cultivated widely for its aromatic
         seeds and the oil from them used medicinally and as a
         flavoring in cookery [syn: anise, anise plant,
         Pimpinella anisum]