ba·bay·lan noun orba·bai·lan\ˌbäbīˈlän\; orba·bal·yan\-bəlˈyän\; orba·ba·li·an\-bəlēˈän\ (pluralba·bay·la·nes \-äˌnās\) Etymology: of Philippine origin; akin to Tagbanuwa babalyan, from balyan mediumship, esoteric religious skill in central and southern Philippines: a pagan priest, priestess, or medium