chervil. n. 1. (Plants) an aromatic umbelliferous Eurasian plant, Anthriscus cerefolium, with small white flowers and aniseed-flavoured leaves used as herbs in soups and salads. 2. (Plants) bur chervil a similar and related plant, Anthriscus caucalis. 3. (Plants) a related plant, Chaerophyllum temulentum, having a hairy purple-spotted stem. [Old English cerfelle, from Latin caerephylla, plural of caerephyllum chervil, from Greek khairephullon, from khairein to enjoy + phullon leaf].