Cayenne \Cay*enne\, n. [From Cayenne, a town and island in French Guiana, South America.] Cayenne pepper. {Cayenne pepper}. (a) (Bot.) A species of {Capsicum} ({C. frutescens}) with small and intensely pungent fruit. (b) A very pungent spice made by drying and grinding the fruits or seeds of several species of the genus {Capsicum}, esp. {C. annuum} and {C. Frutescens}; -- called also {red pepper}. It is used chiefly as a condiment.