Corsair (noun)

A pirate or privateer who operated in the Mediterranean or along the North African coast.

Origin:

The word 'corsair' is derived from the french word 'corsaire', meaning 'pirate' or 'sea robber'. the term was originally used for mediterranean pirates, particularly those operating from north africa, who were a major threat to european shipping from the 16th to the 19th century.

Examples:

1. The corsairs of Barbary were notorious for their raids on European shipping.
2. The pirate ship was captained by a notorious corsair who was known for his cruelty.
3. Many of the great corsair raids were made possible by the support of local rulers.
4. The wealthy merchants of the city hired a corsair to protect their trade routes.
5. The stories of the corsairs and their exploits continue to capture the imagination of people to this day.