[Imitative. Cf. BUMBO.]

1

  † a.  A child’s word for drink (cf. BUM v.1). Obs. b. Sc. To say neither ba nor bum: not to say a word (cf. BAFF).

2

1552.  Huloet, Bua, the terme or voyce of infantes, askynge drynke, englyshed yf ye wyll, Bumme.

3

1570.  Levins, Manip., 187. Bum, drinke, potus.

4

1598.  Tom Tytler & W. (1661), 4. Tipple (arriving with liquor) … here is good bum, I dare boldly say.

5

1861.  Ramsay, Remin., iv. (ed. 18), 75. They neither said ba nor bum.

6