Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Colporteur \Col"por`teur\ (?; 277), n. [F. colporteur one who
   carries on his neck, fr. colporter to carry on one's neck;
   col (L. collum) neck + porter (L. portare) to carry.]
   A hawker; specifically, one who travels about selling and
   distributing religious tracts and books.