In the context of file sharing, "leechers" refer to users who download files from a network but do not upload or share files back. This term is commonly used in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, where users can both download and upload content. Leechers can slow down the sharing process for others, as they consume bandwidth without contributing to the network. Leechers are often contrasted with "seeders," who are users that upload files and help maintain the availability of content. The balance between leechers and seeders is crucial for the health of file-sharing communities, as a higher number of seeders generally leads to faster download speeds for all users.