floccus
noun·/ˈflɑː.kəs/
1. A small tuft of wool, down, or soft fiber. A wisp-like shred.
A floccus of cloud snagged on the peak and dissolved as if the mountain had exhaled.
2. In anatomy, a small, tufted structure resembling a little tassel or clump.
The diagram labeled the tiny fold a floccus, as if softness were being named with precision.
Etymology
From Latin floccus "tuft of wool." English keeps the word for occasions when "tuft" feels too blunt and one wants the Latin's airy delicacy.
Related Words
flocculentwoolly, clumped; common in scientific description
tuftthe plain synonym
flocculea small floc; often in chemistry or biology
downsoft covering; tactile kin