I. ˈlüt noun
Etymology: Hindi & Urdu lūṭ; akin to Sanskrit luṇṭati he plunders
Date: circa 1788
1. : goods usually of considerable value taken in war : spoils
2. : something held to resemble goods of value seized in war: as
a. : something appropriated illegally often by force or violence
b. : illicit gains by public officials
c. : money
3. : the action of looting
Synonyms: see spoil
II. verb
Date: 1845
transitive verb
1.
a. : to plunder or sack in war
b. : to rob especially on a large scale and usually by violence or corruption
2. : to seize and carry away by force especially in war
intransitive verb
: to engage in robbing or plundering especially in war
• loot·er noun