Dictionary.net

A name given to deformed and miserable beings, met with in the Pyrenees, Bern, and Upper Gascony, in France, where they are also called Capots. In other districts they are called Gezits, Gezitains, Cretins, Gahets, Capons, Coliberts, Cacous, Cagneux, &c. See Cretin. The word Cagot is supposed to be an abbreviation of Canis Gothus, 'Dog of a Goth.'

Gipsy-like people (descendants of ancient leper communities ) in Beam and other parts of Gascony; once badly treated, and still socially degraded. Similar are the Caqueux in Brittany, and the Colliberts in Poitou, Maine, Anjou. [Ca, Prov.]