What did the buccaneers later became know as?

The buccaneers later became known as pirates, particularly during the 17th century when they engaged in acts of piracy in the Caribbean. Initially, they were privateers and adventurers who raided Spanish ships and settlements, but their activities increasingly blurred the lines between privateering and outright piracy. Over time, their reputation evolved, and the term "pirate" came to encompass their broader activities on the high seas.