Apache Ant is a Java-based build tool that automates the process of compiling, packaging, and deploying software projects. It uses XML files, known as build files, to define tasks and their dependencies, allowing developers to streamline their workflow and ensure consistency across builds. Originally developed by James Duncan Davidson at Apache Software Foundation, Ant is designed to be platform-independent, making it suitable for various operating systems. It supports a wide range of tasks, including file manipulation, testing, and documentation generation, making it a versatile tool for developers working on Java applications.