late O.E. sott "stupid person, fool," from O.Fr. sot, from Gallo-Romance *sott- (cf. M.L. sottus, c.800), of uncertain origin, with cognates from Portugal to Germany. Meaning "one who is stupefied with drink" first recorded 1590s. As a verb, it is attested from late 14c. (implied in sotted); besot "affect