buccaneer

Member of any of various groups of seafarers who plundered Spanish ships and colonies on the Spanish American coast in the 17th century. Unlike true pirates, they were acting on (sometimes spurious) commission.

mainly British, some were French, Dutch, and Portuguese. Among the best known was Henry Morgan. The ranks of the buccaneers were divided by the outbreak of war between England and France 1689, and the growth of naval power in the 18th century put an end to their activities.