U.S. [prob. a. F. cahute (see next): cf. the uses of cabin, cabinet. But American dictionaries refer it to F. cohorte.] ‘Used in the South and West to denote a company, or partnership’ (Bartlett).
1853. Chron. Pineville, 74 (Bartlett). I wouldn’t swar he wasn’t in cahoot with ’em!
Hence Cahoot v. to act in partnership.
1857. N. Y. Herald, 20 May, 11/1 (Bartlett). They all agree to go cahoot with their claims against Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
