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Where does the word "freebooter" come from? It comes from Dutch vrijbuiter, and was adopted directly into English (1560s).
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Where does the word "freebooter" come from? It comes from Dutch vrijbuiter, and was adopted directly into English (1560s).
Freebooter’s story begins in Dutch: vrijbuiter meant “one who freely takes plunder.” Literally free booty-taker, from vrij (free) and buit (booty). It reached English by 1560s as freebooter. Settled as the English word for a pirate or plunderer. Today, freebooter means a pirate or someone who plunders and pillages without authorization.
- Stage 1 · Dutch · 1500s vrijbuiter "one who freely takes plunder", literally free booty-taker, from vrij (free) and buit (booty).
- Stage 2 · English · 1560s freebooter "a pirate or lawless plunderer", settled as the English word for a pirate or plunderer.