Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - selvage

 or selvedge  noun  Etymology: Middle English selfegge, ~, from self self + egge edge (after Middle Dutch selfegghe)  Date: 15th century  1.  a. the edge on either side of a woven or flat-knitted fabric so finished as to prevent raveling; specifically a narrow border often of different or heavier threads than the fabric and sometimes in a different weave  b. an edge (as of fabric or paper) meant to be cut off and discarded  2. an outer or peripheral part ; border, edge  • ~d or selvedged adjective