From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Cognition \Cog*ni"tion\, n. [L. cognitio, fr. cognoscere,
cognitum, to become acquainted with, to know; co- + noscere,
gnoscere, to get a knowledge of. See Know, v. t.]
1. The act of knowing; knowledge; perception.
[1913 Webster]
I will not be myself nor have cognation
Of what I feel: I am all patience. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. That which is known.
[1913 Webster]