Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Cottontail /(kŏt"t'n*tāl`)/ · Cot·ton·tail · IPA /ˈkɑt.n̩teɪl/ 01 n. The American wood rabbit (Lepus sylvaticus); -- also called Molly cottontail. 1. The American wood rabbit (Lepus sylvaticus); -- also called Molly cottontail.(Zool.) Also: Molly cottontail