ANETHUM, in botany, a genus of the pentandria digynia class. The fruit is oval, compressed, and striated. There are only two species of anethum; viz. the graveolens, a native of Spain; and the feniculum, fennel, or finckle, a native of Britain. The seeds of the graveolens are recommended as a carminative. The best preparations of them are, the distilled oil, and a tincture or extract made with rectified spirit.