booty

Meaning

A form of prize which, when a ship was captured at sea, could be distributed at once.
Plunder taken from an enemy in time of war, or seized by piracy.
Something that has been stolen or illegally, mischievously, or greedily obtained from elsewhere.

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbuːti/

Etymology

From Middle English buty, botye, bottyne, from Old French butin, botin, from Middle Low German bǖte (“distribution, exchange, loot”), of obscure origin, but related to Middle High German biute, German Beute (“booty”). Possibly ultimately from Proto-Celtic *boudi (“profit, gains; victory”).