Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. to live as a travelling performer.

1921

Variety 4: Tomato would be hambonin’ around the rest of his natural life [...] and never get his name in a New York newspaper [HDAS].

2. to live frugally.

1942

G.S. Perry Texas 63: Nineteen years ago, ‘hamboning’ along on almost no money at all, a candy salesman sank a well that brought in the West Texas fields [DARE].

3. to show off.

1981

McKee & Chisenhall Beale Black and Blue 7: Soon all three were jiving, clapping hands, hamboning, scatting—making music out of nothing.