floss

n. [ It. floscio flabby, soft, fr. L. fluxus flowing, loose, slack. See Flux, n. ] 1. (Bot.) The slender styles of the pistillate flowers of maize; also called silk. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Untwisted filaments of silk, used in embroidering. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A body feather of an ostrich. Flosses are soft, and gray from the female and black from the male. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Floss silk, silk that has been twisted, and which retains its loose and downy character. It is much used in embroidery. Called also floxed silk. --
Floss thread, a kind of soft flaxen yarn or thread, used for embroidery; -- called also linen floss, and floss yarn. McElrath. [ 1913 Webster ]