Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) to seize or grab; usu. as mitten onto.

1841

Man o’ War 179: Both Flukes and Bowser, mittened onto de article in question, with the rapidity of greased lightning [HDAS].

2. to reject (someone) as a lover.

1842		Flash (NY) 25 Sept. n.p.: The little mantua maker mittens all the boys.
1873		W. Carleton Farm Ballads (1882) 19: Once, when I was young as you, and not so smart, perhaps, For me she mittened a lawyer, and several other chaps [DA].
1881		M.J. Holmes Madeline 114: When she mittened him, it almost took his life. He was too old for her, she said [DA].