Brandschatzung

Etymology
. 16th-century recharacterization of the earlier (Middle High German) synonym.

The original meaning of the term is "exaction of tribute under the threat of pillaging". The shift to the now-prevalent meaning of "looting, pillaging" takes place in the 20th century, apparently by misunderstanding, but this usage is now sanctioned by the Duden, which glosses the term as.

Noun

 * 1) the exaction of tribute from a city under the threat of setting fire to it.
 * 2) looting and pillaging
 * 1) looting and pillaging