Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - epidermis

 noun  Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek, from epi- + derma skin — more at derm-  Date: 1626  1.  a. the outer epithelial layer of the external integument of the animal body that is derived from the embryonic epiblast; specifically the outer nonsensitive and nonvascular layer of the skin of a vertebrate that overlies the dermis  b. any of various animal integuments  2. a thin surface layer of tissue in higher plants formed by growth of a primary meristem