Tonguelet

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A little tongue-like flap, strip or projection on an object, such as the narrow piece of leather under a shoe's laces
2. A small structure shaped like a tongue, often a thin flap or lobe extending from a larger body or surface
3. Something resembling a little tongue in form, most often a slender tapering projection or flap on a larger part

Etymology: "Tonguelet" is a plain formation: the English noun "tongue" with the diminutive suffix "-let," which turns a noun into a little version of the thing it names. The same suffix gives us "booklet," "streamlet" and "piglet," so the word simply means a small tongue, usually a little flap or tongue-shaped part of something. Its meaning follows from the parts, with nothing hidden in its history.