black hand

noun

often capitalized B&H

: a lawless secret society engaged in criminal activities (such as terrorism or extortion)

blackhander

ˈblak-ˌhan-dər 

noun

Word History

Etymology

after the names of various real or imagined secret organizations in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Spanish Mano Negra, Italian Mano Nera, Serbian Crna Ruka)

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above