Obs. Also 5 flotyce, -yse, 6 flotes, flattesse, flats. [Perh. the pl. of FLOT sb.1, taken as sing. It may however represent an unrecorded F. derivative of floter to float.] Scum or grease floating on the surface of a liquid; esp. skimmed fat, dripping.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 168/1. Flotyse or flotyce of a pott or other lyke, spuma.
1531. Tindale, Exp. 1 John v. 21. If thou burnest blood and fat together to please God, what other thing doest thou make of God, than one that had lust to smell to burnt flotesse?
1536. Lett. & Papers Hen. VIII., X. 175. 4 stone of flattesse.
1548. Recorde, Urin. Physick, v. 18. Besyde these is there often tymes [in the urine] as it were a flotes or fattynes on the topp.
1585. 2nd Pt. good Huswifes Iewell, 12. Frie them with butter or flats.
