The English word contraband, reported in English since 1529, from Medieval French contrebande "a smuggling," derived via Italian contrabbando from Latin contra "against" + Middle Latin bannum (from Frankish root ban "a command", as in Italian bando 'law'; also the root of 'banishment'), denotes any item which, relating to its nature,'s illegal to be possessed, sold et cetera. Used for goods that by their nature, for example too dangerous or offensive in the eyes of the legislator (those are ter… (More on Contraband)