I. ˈkäntrəˌband, -baa(ə)nd noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian contrabbando, from Medieval Latin contrabannum, from Latin contra- + Medieval Latin bannus, bannum decree, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German ban command — more at banner
1. : illegal or prohibited traffic : smuggling
persons the most bound in duty to prevent contraband — Edmund Burke
2. : goods or merchandise the importation, exportation, or sometimes possession of which is forbidden ; also : smuggled goods
3. : a Negro slave who during the Civil War escaped to or was brought within the Union lines
4. : contraband of war
II. adjective
: prohibited or excluded by law or treaty : forbidden
contraband liquor
contraband cargo
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to import illegally (as prohibited goods) : smuggle
2. : to declare prohibited : forbid