With reference to cotton or wool: a loosely formed piece or strand; a tuft.
A tuft or handful of hair, wool, fibre, etc.; esp. the portion of flax or tow put on the distaff (in full, top of flax, lint, (†line), tow). Also…
A lock, tuft or particle (of wool, cotton, etc.). †As a type of something valueless or contemptible: see quot. 1592 and flock, v.2 2.