The buccaneers originally were semi-lawful sailors and soldiers from mainly French and English settlers living in the Caribbean during the 17th century. They inhabited islands such as Hispaniola and Tortuga and were hunters who smoked meat on wooden frames called boucans, from which their name was derived. They later became pirates attacking Spanish ships and ports in the Caribbean Sea, backed by rival European powers to Spain's dominance in the region. Their main area of operation was the Caribbean islands, especially near Hispaniola, Tortuga, and Jamaica.
In a different context, the term "Buccaneers" also refers to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida, USA. This team was established in 1976 and plays in the National Football League (NFL).
