Meaning

noun followers of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices

noun an interest followed with exaggerated zeal

noun followers of an unorthodox, extremist, or false religion or sect who often live outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader

originDerived from French culte, from Latin cultus (“care, adoration; cult”), from colō (“cultivate; protect”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0