Etymology From Spanish contrabanda (modern spelling contrabando), from Italian contrabando (modern spelling contrabbando), from contra (“against”) + bando (“ban”), and reinforced by French contrebande.
1
Usually Any goods which are illicit or illegal to possess.
2
Usually Goods which are prohibited from being traded, smuggled goods.
3
US, Historical, Usually A black slave during the American Civil War who had escaped to, or been captured by, Union forces.
While some Yanks treated contrabands with a degree of equity or benevolence, the more typical response was indifference, contempt, or cruelty.1988, James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, Oxford, published 2003, page 497:
Etymology From Spanish contrabanda (modern spelling contrabando), from Italian contrabando (modern spelling contrabbando), from contra (“against”) + bando (“ban”), and reinforced by French contrebande.
1
Prohibited from being traded.
… when the seizure is made in connection with a violation involving a contraband article covered by section 1 (b) (1) of the said Act; …1940, The Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America: Having ... – Division of the Federal Register, the National Archives – Page 2191
The exclusion of mandatory payment of moieties for seizures of contraband controlled substances is accomplished through Section 17 of the bill, …1953, United States, United States. President, United States. Congress – United States Code Congressional and Administrative News – Page 2039
1 more example
4. Contraband goods may be seized if found in a river before they are landed or offered for sale.1899, Albert William Chaster, The Powers, Duties and Liabilities of Executive Officers as Between These ... – Stevens and Haynes – Page 55
contraband
verb
Etymology From Spanish contrabanda (modern spelling contrabando), from Italian contrabando (modern spelling contrabbando), from contra (“against”) + bando (“ban”), and reinforced by French contrebande.
there are also searched for concealed Slaves, and goods contrabanded1615, George Sandys, “The Second Booke”, in The Relation of a Iourney Begun An: Dom: 1610. […], London: […] [Richard Field] for W. Barrett, →OCLC, page 87:
The law severely contrabands / Our taking business off men's hands.1662 (indicated as 1663), [Samuel Butler], “[The First Part of Hudibras]”, in Hudibras. The First and Second Parts. […], London: […] John Martyn and Henry Herringman, […], published 1678; republished in A[lfred] R[ayney] Waller, editor, Hudibras: Written in the Time of the Late Wars, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: University Press, 1905, →OCLC: