The short fibers of the flax plant.

Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, the Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of TOW is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known. ( Judges 16:9 )

Dictionary of Words from the King James Bible. Public Domain. Copy freely.