ETYM Old Eng. comin, AS. cymen, from Latin cuminum; of Semitic origin, cf. Arabic kammin, Hebrew kammin.
Seedlike fruit of the herb Cuminum cyminum of the carrot family Umbelliferae, with a bitter flavor. It is used as a spice in cooking.
1. Aromatic seeds of the cumin herb of the carrot family; SYN. cumin seed.
2. Dwarf Mediterranean annual long cultivated for its aromatic seeds; SYN. Cuminum cyminum.