Pirates and seafaring raiders, especially those who attacked Spanish ships in the Caribbean during the 1600s and 1700s.
From French 'boucanier' (one who smokes meat), derived from Tupi (South American language) 'mocém' (to smoke). Originally referred to hunters who smoked meat, later applied to Caribbean pirates who used similar methods.
Many buccaneers were actually privateers with legal letters of permission from their governments to attack enemy ships—so some were state-sanctioned pirates, blurring the line between outlaw and hero depending on whose flag they sailed under.
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