BUCCANEER

noun Etymology: French boucanier woodsman, pirate (in the 17th century West Indies), from boucaner to smoke meat, from boucan wooden frame for smoking meat, from Tupi mokaʔe, mbokaʔe, from mo-, mbo- causative marker + kaʔế to be roasted, dried Date: 1686 any of the freebooters preying on Spanish ships and settlements especially in 17th century West Indies, an unscrupulous adventurer especially in politics or business, ~ intransitive verb ~ish adjective