» For other uses, see hilt and maize. A tassel is a finishing feature in fabric decoration. The tassel is a universal ornament that's seen in varying versions in many cultures around the globe. Etymology The word "tassel" comes from the Latin "tassau" which meant a clasp (as for the neck of a garment). History and use In the Western World tassels were originally a series of windings of thread or string around a suspending string until the desired curvature was attained. Decades later, turned wo… (More on Tassel)