flotation
noun
[ fləʊˈteɪʃ(ə)n ]
• the action of floating in a liquid or gas.
• "the body form is modified to assist in flotation"
• the process of offering a company's shares for sale on the stock market for the first time.
Origin:
early 19th century: alteration of floatation (from float) on the pattern of French flottaison . The spelling flot- was influenced by flotilla.
