TUFT

tuft. Tuft, n. a cluster of trees, grass, hair, &c. a clump

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Tuft (?), n. [[Prov. E. tuff, F. touffe; of German origin; cf. G. zopf a weft of hair, pigtail, top of a tree. See Top summit.]] 1. 1. A collection of small, flexible, or soft things in a knot or bunch; a waving or bending and spreading cluster; as, a tuft of flowers or feathers.
2. 2. A cluster; a clump; as, a tuft of plants.
Under a tuft of shade. Milton. Green lake, and cedar fuft, and spicy glade. Keble. 3. 3. A nobleman, or person of quality, especially in the English universities; — so called from the tuft, or gold tassel, on the cap worn by them.
Several young tufts, and others of the faster men. T. Hughes.