1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Mountebank

MOUNTEBANK (Ital. montambanco, montimbanco, from montare, to climb up on, mount, and banco, bench, cf. saltimbanco, an acrobat or dancer, one who dances or leaps on a bench), a wandering juggler, story-teller, seller of quack medicines, &c., who performs his entertainment on a platform or raised bench, hence any charlatan or quack.