The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Cottager \Cot"ta*ger\ (k?t"t?-j?r), n.
   1. One who lives in a cottage.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Law) One who lives on the common, without paying any
      rent, or having land of his own.
      [1913 Webster] Cotter

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

cottager
    n 1: someone who lives in a cottage [syn: cottager, cottage
         dweller]