bant

To regulate what one eats according to the precepts of William Banting; to go on a diet.

If he is […] gouty, obese, and nervous, we strongly recommend him to ‘bant.’

‘I'm so sorry,’ she cried, jumping up. ‘I shall have to bant if I can't break myself of this habit of sitting on gentlemen's knees.’

Clipping of banter.