Buccaneer

nounStandard termMaritime

A historic privateer or pirate operating in the Caribbean and Pacific.

A historic term for a seafaring raider operating primarily in the Caribbean and along the Spanish Main. Unlike common pirates, buccaneers often operated with unofficial backing from their home nations to harass enemy shipping and settlements. They typically sailed in small, fast vessels and relied on surprise boarding tactics.

Heard on the job

The museum exhibit details how a typical buccaneer provisioned his sloop before a raid.