Ŏc'cu-pant, n.
n. [Lat. occupans, p. pr. of occupare; Fr. occupant, Sp. ocupante, It. occupante. See infra.]
Sense 1. One who occupies, or takes possession; one who has the actual use or possession, or is in possession, of a thing.
☞ This word, in law, sometimes signifies one who takes the first possession of a thing which has no owner. Wharton. Tomlins. Bouvier.
Sense 2. A prostitute. [Obs.] Nares.