Plunder refers to the act of stealing or taking something by force, theft, or fraud. It can also refer to the stolen goods or money obtained illegally. Plundering can be done in various ways, such as robbing, looting, or pillaging. The term originated from an old Middle High German word that meant "household goods and clothes". During the Thirty Years War, English speakers acquired this word while fighting in Germany, but with the added meaning of taking the plunder as, well, plunder. Examples of plundering include stealing from a village, tomb, or jewelry store. Plundering can also happen during warfare, where a town or public treasury can be robbed or despoiled.