Banian, n.
(băn’yan or ban-yăn’) (Synop., § 130), n. [Skr. paṇ, to sell, paṇya, salable, baṇik, merchant. Cf. puṇya, holy, sacred, the banian-tree being considered as sacred; hence N. Lat. ficus religiosa]
Sense 1. A Hindoo merchant, particularly one who visits foreign countries for purposes of business. Malcom.
Sense 2. A morning gown, like that worn by the Banians. Craig.
Sense 3. The India fig-tree. See BANYAN.
Banian days (Naut.), days in which the sailors have no flesh meat served out to them. This use of the term seems to be borrowed from the Banians, who eat no flesh.