Cotch
Also spelled: kotch, catch
Meaning
To rest, perch, or prop something temporarily; also to stay somewhere briefly or lodge on a short-term, informal basis. It implies balance or a makeshift, not-permanent position, with no exact single English equivalent.
Examples
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“Mi jus a cotch yah fi a few day.”
I'm just staying here for a few days.
Implies temporary, informal lodging rather than living there.
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“Cotch di board pon di wall.”
Prop the board against the wall.
Physical sense of resting one thing on another.
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“Mek mi cotch pon di chair likkle bit.”
Let me rest on the chair a little while.
'likkle bit' means for a short moment.
Origin
Believed to derive from English 'scotch' (to prop or wedge), with the initial 's' dropped in Jamaican pronunciation.
How it's used
Informal and everyday. Asking to 'cotch' at someone's place is a casual request to crash there briefly; requesting long-term stay would be a different matter.