Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sleave \Sleave\, n. [Cf. Dan. sl["o]if, a knot loop, Sw. slejf,
   G. schleife a knot, silding knot, and E. slip, v.i.]
   (a) The knotted or entangled part of silk or thread.
   (b) Silk not yet twisted; floss; -- called also {sleave
       silk}.

             Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care.
                                                  --Shak.