3. A negro slave, during the Civil War, escaped to, or was brought within, the Union lines. Such slave was considered contraband of war. [U.S.]
Contraband of war, that which, according to international law, cannot be supplied to a hostile belligerent except at the risk of seizure and condemnation by the aggrieved belligerent. Wharton.
Con"tra*band, a. Prohibited or excluded by law or treaty; forbidden; as, contraband goods, or trade.
The contraband will always keep pace, in some measure, with the fair trade.
Burke.
Con"tra*band, v. t. 1. To import illegally, as prohibited goods; to smuggle. [Obs.] Johnson.