noun

1. unlawful or prohibited trade
2. goods forbidden by law to be imported or exported; smuggled merchandise
3. contraband of war
4. ☆ during the Civil War, a black slave who fled to, or was smuggled or found behind, the Union lines

Etymology: Sp contrabanda, a smuggling < It contrabando < contra-, against + bando < ML bannum < Frank *ban, a command; akin to OE ban: see ban

adjective