habitant

n. [ F. habitant. See Habit, v. t. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. An inhabitant; a dweller. Milton. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. [ F. pron. An inhabitant or resident; -- a name applied to and denoting farmers of French descent or origin in Canada, especially in the Province of Quebec; -- usually in the plural. [ 1913 Webster ]

The habitants or cultivators of the soil. Parkman. [ 1913 Webster ]