An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. The act or state of remaining on the surface of a liquid. → buoyancy.
   

2. The process of separating different materials, especially minerals, by agitating a pulverized mixture of the materials with water, oil, and chemicals based on their tendency to sink in, or float on.

Etymology (EN): From float, from M.E. floten,  O.E. flotian (cf. O.N. flota, M.Du. vloten), akin to fleet + -ation.

Etymology (PE): Šenâvari “flotation,” from šenâvar “that swims, floats,” from šenâ “swimming;” Mid.Pers. šnâz “swim,” šnâzidan “to swim;” Av. snā- “to wash, swim;” cf. Skt. snā- “to bathe, to wash;” L. nare, natare “to swim” (Fr. nage, nager, natation; Sp.nadar, natacion).