floss, noun

/flɒs/
Forms:
Also flos.
Origin:
EnglishShow more Special sense of general English floss fine filaments, fluff.
noncount, Ostrich-farming
The short, soft feathers from the underside of the wing of an ostrich. Also attributive. See also onderbaatjie.
c1881 A. Douglass Ostrich Farming 75The floss feathers..the row of light feathers next the leg..are of little value and greatly help to keep the bird warm.
c1881 A. Douglass Ostrich Farming 82The floss are the soft feathers that should not be plucked, but of which there are always some taken by accident.
1896 R. Wallace Farming Indust. of Cape Col. 235Floss is derived mostly from the under-wing coverts of the birds, both male and female, and is of a soft nature...Floss in good demand, especially shorter lines, which advanced 5s. to 7s. 6d. per lb.
1930 M.F. Wormser Ostrich Indust. in S. Afr. 11Floss grows on the underside of the wing.
1934 C.P. Swart Supplement to Pettman. 52Floss, Downy ostrich feathers.
1955 G. Aschman in Saron & Hotz Jews in S. Afr. 130The immigrants themselves learnt to sort feathers..long cuts, flos, broken tails.
The short, soft feathers from the underside of the wing of an ostrich. Also attributive.
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Florisbad, nounn.’Flu, nounn.
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