In Western French mythology, the galipote or bête noire (black beast) is believed to be a sorcecer that has taken a monstrous or animal shape. In Vienne, it is also the local name for werewolf. The galipote may also designed the familiar or imp which the sorcerer has the power to send forth.
Behavior
The galipote would ambush in the night and jump on the back of the uncautious passer-by.
In Poitou the peasants have a curious expression, courir la galipote, which means to turn into a werewolf or other human-animal by night and chase prey through the woods.