parfilage
/ˌpɑːfɪˈlɑːʒ/Now historical
noun
The unravelling of gold or silver thread from laces, epaulettes, or tassels, fashionable as a pastime among ladies, especially in France, in the latter part of the 18th cent.
Origin
Late 19th century. From French parfilage from parfiler to unravel thread by thread + -age.