aglet

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A tag or sheath, as of plastic, on the end of a lace, cord, or ribbon to facilitate its passing through eyelet holes.
2. n. A similar device used for an ornament.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A tag or metal sheathing of the end of a lace, or of the points (see point) or ribbons generally used in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to fasten or tie dresses. They were originally intended simply to facilitate the passing of the ends through the eyelet-holes, as in modern shoelaces and stay-laces, but were afterward frequently formed of the precious metals, carved into small figures, and suspended from the ribbon, etc., as ornaments (whence Shakspere's phrase “an aglet-baby,” which see); and they are still so used in the form of tagged points or braid hanging from the shoulder in some military uniforms, now officially styled aiguillettes. Also written aigulet.
2. n. In botany, a pendent anther; also, a loose pendent catkin, as of the birch.

Wiktionary

1. n. alternative spelling of aiglet.
2. n. The cover at the tip of a shoelace, to prevent it from fraying.
3. n. A catkin.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A tag of a lace or of the points, braids, or cords formerly used in dress. They were sometimes formed into small images.
2. n. (Haberdashery) A round white staylace.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. metal or plastic sheath over the end of a shoelace or ribbon
2. n. ornamental tagged cord or braid on the shoulder of a uniform