corsair
noun
cor·sair ˈkȯr-ˌser 
kȯr-ˈser
: pirate
especially : a privateer of the Barbary Coast
Synonyms
- buccaneer
- freebooter
- pirate
- rover
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
no one knows the fate of the corsair's treasure-filled ship
Recent Examples on the Web Queen of the seas, Britain seemed to countenance the pirating activities of the North African corsairs. 
Thomas Wendel, National Review, 4 July 2019 From ancient Norse princess Alfhild to Sayyida al-Hurra of the Barbary corsairs, these women sailed beside–and sometimes in command of–male pirates. Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian, 12 Apr. 2017
Thomas Wendel, National Review, 4 July 2019 From ancient Norse princess Alfhild to Sayyida al-Hurra of the Barbary corsairs, these women sailed beside–and sometimes in command of–male pirates. Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian, 12 Apr. 2017 Word History
Etymology
Middle French & Old Italian; Middle French corsaire pirate, from Old Occitan corsari, from Old Italian corsaro, from Medieval Latin cursarius, from Latin cursus course — more at course
First Known Use
1549, in the meaning defined above
corsairs
noun
as in pirates
someone who engages in robbery of ships at sea no one knows the fate of the corsair's treasure-filled ship Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pirates
- privateers
- freebooters
- buccaneers
- raiders
- marauders
- robbers
- plunderers
- pillagers
- looters
- rovers
- despoilers