a preparation of Cannabis sativa for use as an intoxicant, generally by smoking, 1918, altered by influence of Spanish proper name Maria Juana "Mary Jane" from mariguan (1894), from Mexican Spanish marihuana, which is of uncertain origin. As the plant was not native to Mexico, a native source for the word seems unlikely.
"marijuana cigarette," 1940, supposedly a reduplication of the middle syllable of marijuana.
"marijuana," 1938, probably a shortened form of Mexican Spanish potiguaya "marijuana leaves."
"marijuana cigarette," 1960s, of unknown origin.
"marijuana, Cannabis sativa smoked as a narcotic," 1660s, from Afrikaans, from Khoisan (Hottentot) dachab. Originally the name of an indigenous plant used as a narcotic, extended to marijuana by 1796.
active ingredient in marijuana and hashish, 1968, short for tetrahydrocannabinol (1940).
"marijuana, a joint," 1926, apparently originally a New Orleans word, of unknown origin.
"inhalation of a marijuana cigarette or pipe smoke," 1968, U.S. slang, from earlier verb meaning "to smoke a marijuana cigarette" (1952), perhaps from Spanish tocar in sense of "touch, tap, hit" or "get a share or part." In 19c. the same word in British slang meant "small piece of poor-quality bread," but probably this is not related.
"water pipe for marijuana," 1960s, U.S. slang, said to have been introduced by Vietnam War veterans and said to be from Thai baung, literally "cylindrical wooden tube."
