What does it mean: "to cotton" something? the word cotton as a verb?

Have you tried UrbanDictionary.com ?

To “cotton to” or “to cotton on to” means to “catch on,” “become aware of,” or “take a liking to.” It’s been around for a long time. I cottoned to Milo after several weeks. I cottoned on to speaking French after several years of study.

I don’t cotton to rubes.

To cotton to is part of the vernacular and does not imply that one is a rube, if that is what you were implying, iron davy.

Just guessing here—“Cotton to” would seem to come from the fact that cotton bolls stick to things. Or it could be a corruption of “caught onto”.

@AP: I am TRYING to get things done. Please stop distracting me.

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20010312

@Hearkat: The Urban Dictionary just gave me some insight into what many of us are going through right now:

PEWS

Post-Election-Withdrawl-Syndrome:

The feeling of general depletion and emptiness in the few days after a presidential election. Caused by the sudden withdrawal of any campaign coverage, sound bites, or pictures of babies being kissed. May be accompanied by aimless clicking on news websites looking for something to read.

to take to something. To be drawn to or attracted to something.

To like something as in , “I cotton to him/her.” A Southern expression from long ago, I believe. Something you’d hear on an old western movie.