Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Banian \Ban"ian\, n. [Skr. banij merchant. The tree was so named
   by the English, because used as a market place by the
   merchants.]
   1. A Hindoo trader, merchant, cashier, or money changer.
      [Written also {banyan}.]

   2. A man's loose gown, like that worn by the Banians.

   3. (Bot.) The Indian fig. See {Banyan}.

   {Banian days} (Naut.), days in which the sailors have no
      flesh meat served out to them. This use seems to be
      borrowed from the Banians or Banya race, who eat no flesh.

Source : WordNet®

banian
     n 1: East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down
          into the soil forming additional trunks [syn: {banyan},
          {banyan tree}, {banian tree}, {Indian banyan}, {East
          Indian fig tree}, {Ficus bengalensis}]
     2: a loose fitting jacket; originally worn in India [syn: {banyan}]