Gascony

(gasko-ne.) [Fr. Gascogne.] An anc. p. of France, since the Revolution divided into the deps. Gers, Landes, and Hautes-Pyrenees. Its C. was Auch, and its in habs. (Gascons) were long proverbial for their spirit of bluster and braggadocio,-whence the derivation of the term gasconade, empty bravado or vaunting. As Guienne, G.belonged to England from 1152 to 1453, and was united to France by Charles VII. [s. 397]