Bong
/bɒŋ/noun
A deep, resonant sound, or a water pipe used for smoking.
Did you know?The smoking-pipe sense is much later slang, while the older English word is an onomatopoeic imitation of a deep bell note, not a hidden occult term.
Etymological Timeline
Imitative origin
English
bong
“A deep, resonant bell-like sound”
19th Century
English
bong
“Used in English to imitate a loud, hollow ringing noise”
20th Century
English
bong
“Slang for a water pipe used for smoking”
Modern English
English
bong
“A deep sound or a smoking apparatus”