Pillage
/ˈpɪl.ɪdʒ/noun
To rob a place using violence, especially during war.
Did you know?In medieval times, pillaging was seen as a legitimate act of war, often ritualized to invoke favor from deities.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
pīlāgĭum
“Act of plundering or robbing.”
12th Century
Old French
piller
“To plunder, rob, or loot.”
14th Century
Middle English
pillage
“To seize goods by force.”
Modern English
English
pillage
“To raid and steal from a place, especially in a military context.”