tassel \tas"sel\, n. oe., a fastening of a mantle, of. tassel a
   fastening, clasp, f. tasseau a bracket, fr. l. taxillus a
   little die, dim. of talus a die of a longish shape, rounded
   on two sides and marked only on the other four, a knuckle
   bone.
   1. a pendent ornament, attached to the corners of cushions,
      to curtains, and the like, ending in a tuft of loose
      threads or cords.
      1913 webster

   2. the flower or head of some plants, esp. when pendent.
      1913 webster

            and the maize field grew and ripened, till it stood
            in all the splendor
            of its garments green and yellow,
            of its tassels and its plumage.       --longfellow.
      1913 webster

   3. a narrow silk ribbon, or the like, sewed to a book to be
      put between the leaves.
      1913 webster

   4. arch. a piece of board that is laid upon a wall as a
      sort of plate, to give a level surface to the ends of
      floor timbers; -- rarely used in the united states.
      1913 webster

   tassel flower bot., a name of several composite plants of
      the genus cineraria, especially the cineraria
      sconchifolia, and of the blossoms which they bear.
      1913 webster
see also:
tassel flower cineraria cineraria sconchifolia