Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Bonze

Bonze (bon"ze; 277) , noun

[Portuguese bonzo, from Japan. bōzu a Buddhist priest: compare French bonze.]

A Buddhist or Fohist priest, monk, or nun.

The name was given by the Portuguese to the priests of Japan, and has since been applied to the priests of China, Cochin China, and the neighboring countries.