tufted

Tufted is an adjective used to describe something that carries or is covered with tufts: small, soft clusters of fibers, hairs, leaves, or other material. The term is used across several disciplines to indicate a raised, clustered texture or sampling.

In textiles and upholstery, tufting refers to a finishing technique in which short lengths of material are anchored at intervals to create raised nubs or a plush surface. This can be seen in button-tufted furniture, tufted cushions, and tufted rugs or carpets, often achieved with tufting needles or specialized machines.

In botany and horticulture, tufted describes plants with dense clusters or tufts of leaves or inflorescences. It is commonly used for grasses and other perennials that form a tangled, tuft-like growth habit, such as tufted grasses (tuft-forming species).

In zoology and ornithology, tufted appears in common names for species with crests or tufts of feathers or fur. Examples include the tufted titmouse (a North American songbird with a crest), the tufted duck (a Eurasian diving duck with a crested head), and the tufted puffin (a seabird with prominent head tufts).