Ma'anar ƙamus na kalmar "byssus" shine fiber mai kyau, siliki mai laushi wanda wasu mollusks ke samarwa, kamar mussels, wanda ake amfani da su don jingina kansu ga duwatsu ko wasu wurare. Ana kuma san shi da "Silk siliki" kuma an yi amfani da shi a baya don yin zane da sauran kayan yadi. Kalmar nan “byssus” ta fito daga kalmar Helenanci “byssos,” wanda ke nufin “lafiya ta lilin.”
