[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

vanilla \vanil"la\, n. nl., fr. sp. vainilla, dim. of sp.
   vaina a sheath, a pod, l. vagina; because its grains, or
   seeds, are contained in little pods.
   1913 webster
   1. bot. a genus of climbing orchidaceous plants, natives of
      tropical america.
      1913 webster

   2. the long podlike capsules of vanilla planifolia, and
      vanilla claviculata, remarkable for their delicate and
      agreeable odor, for the volatile, odoriferous oil
      extracted from them; also, the flavoring extract made from
      the capsules, extensively used in confectionery,
      perfumery, etc.
      1913 webster

   note: as a medicine, vanilla is supposed to possess powers
         analogous to valerian, while, at the same time, it is
         far more grateful.
         1913 webster

   cuban vanilla, a sweet-scented west indian composite shrub
      eupatorium dalea.

   vanilla bean, the long capsule of the vanilla plant.

   vanilla grass. same as holy grass, under holy.
      1913 webster
see also:
vanilla planifolia vanilla claviculata cuban vanilla eupatorium dalea vanilla bean vanilla grass 
holy grass holy 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

vanilla planifolia
     n : climbing non-ornamental orchid bearing a podlike fruit
         yielding vanilla beans; widely cultivated from florida
         southward throughout tropical america syn: vanilla
         orchid
see also:
vanilla orchid 

Vanilla >> V Words
Vanilla, definition of term: Vanilla
vanilla_pag1.html

Vanilla Bean >> V Words
Vanilla Bean, definition of term: Vanilla Bean
vanilla+bean_pag1.html