Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Floss \Floss\ (?; 195), 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}.

   2. Untwisted filaments of silk, used in embroidering.

   {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.