a wayfarer, beggar, pauper Snp.100 (ṇ); Ja.iv.403, Ja.iv.406 (n); Ja.v.172 (= bhojaputta C.; n), Ja.vi.232 (n); DN-a.i.298 (ṇ); Pv-a.78 (n), Pv-a.112 (n); Vv-a.5 (n). Often combined with similar terms in phrase kapaṇ addhika [or iddhika] vaṇibbaka-yācakā indigents, tramps, wayfarers & beggars, e.g. DN.i.137 (ṇ); Mil.204 (ṇ) Dhp-a.i.105 (ṇ). Other spurious forms are vaṇidīpaka Pv-a.120; vanīpaka Cp.i.4#9.
vaṇibba + ka. The form *vaṇibba, according to Geiger, Pali Grammar § 46#1, distorted fr. vaṇiya, thus “travelling merchant, wayfarer.” Spelling wavers between vaṇibb˚; & vanibb˚. The BSk. form is vanīpaka, e.g. at Avs.i.248; Avs.ii.37; Divy.83; occurring also as vaṇīyaka at Divy.83