tassel1

noun

• a tuft of loosely hanging threads or cords knotted at one end and attached for decoration to soft furnishings, clothing, or other items: damask curtains were held by silk cords with gold tassels
• the tufted head of some plants, especially a flower head with prominent stamens at the top of a maize stalk: the pollen forms on the tassel

verb (tassels, tasselling, tasselled; US tassels, tasseling, tasseled)

• 1 [with object] (usually as adjective tasselled) provide with a tassel or tassels:tasselled curtains

• 2 [no object] North American (of maize or other plants) form tassels: I note that two plantings of maize are tasselling at the same time