a bunch or cluster of small, usually soft and flexible parts, as feathers or hairs, attached or fixed closely together at the base and loose at the upper ends.
2.
a cluster of short, fluffy threads, used to decorate cloth, as for a bedspread, robe, bath mat, or window curtain.
3.
a cluster of cut threads, used as a decorative finish attached to the tying or holding threads of mattresses, quilts, upholstery, etc.
4.
a covered or finished button designed for similar use.
5.
a cluster of short-stalked flowers, leaves, etc., growing from a common point.
Upholstery. to draw together (a cushion or the like) by passing a thread through at regular intervals, the depressions thus produced being usually ornamented with tufts or buttons.
verb (used without object)
12.
to form into or grow in a tuft or tufts.
Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English, variant of toft(e) < Middle French tofe, toffe < ?; E parasitic t as in graft1
late 14c., perhaps from O.Fr. touffe "tuft of hair," either from L.L. tufa "a kind of crest on a helmet" (also found in Late Gk. toupha), or from a Gmc. source (cf. O.H.G. zopf, O.N. toppr "tuft, summit," see top (1)).