Forms: 6–9 bangue, 7–9 bang, 9 bhang; (also 7 bange, 7–8 banque, 8 bank, 9 beng, benj, bhung). [A word widely spread in Eastern langs.: in Urdū, and various Indian langs., bhāng, bhang, bhung; in Pers., bang (whence Arab. banj, benj); all from Skr. bhaṅgā hemp. Its first European form was the Pg. bangue, also the earliest form in Eng.; bang (representing the Pers.) has prevailed since c. 1675; bhang has become frequent during the present century, and is etymologically preferable.]
The native name of the Indian variety of the common Hemp, which in warm countries develops narcotic and intoxicating properties. In India the leaves and seed-capsules are chewed or smoked, or eaten mixed up into a sweetmeat, and sometimes an infusion of them is drunk. The name is sometimes extended to an intoxicating substance prepared from the resinous exudation of the plant, called by the Arabs hashish.
[1563. Garcia de Orta, Simples e Drogas, 26 (transl.), All he had to do was to eat a little bangue.]
1598. W. Phillips, Linschoten’s Trav. Ind., 19. Many kinds of Drogues, as Amfion, or Opium, Camfora, Bangue.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. v. I. v. (1651), 392. Another [herb] called Bange, like in effect to Opium.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), II. 72. In the orientall countries—as Cambaia, Calicut … ther is a drink call’d ‘Banque,’ which is rare and precious.
1673. Fryer, Acc. E. India (1598), 91 (Y.). Bang (a pleasant intoxicating Seed mixed with Milk).
1727. A. Hamilton, Acc. E. Ind., I. 131 (Y.). Before they engage in fight they drink Bang.
1782. T. Arnold, Insanity, II. 254. A preparation of a poisonous vegetable called Banque.
1838. Loudon, Encycl. Plants, 1083. The … intoxicating Turkish drug called Bang or Haschisch.
1859. Lang, Wand. India, 47. I took to opium and smoking bhung (hemp).
1866. Livingstone, Jrnl., i. (1873), I. 29. Bhang is not smoked, but tobacco is.
