From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sleave \Sleave\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleaved (sl[=e]vd); p.
pr. & vb. n. Sleaving.]
To separate, as threads; to divide, as a collection of
threads; to sley; -- a weaver's term.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sleave \Sleave\ (sl[=e]v), n. [Cf. Dan. sl["o]if, a knot loop,
Sw. slejf, G. schleife a knot, sliding knot, and E. slip,
v.i.]
(a) The knotted or entangled part of silk or thread.
(b) Silk not yet twisted; floss; -- called also sleave
silk.
[1913 Webster]
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]