What is "codilla"

Codilla \Co*dil"la\, n. [Cf. L. codicula a little tail, dim. of cauda tail.] (Com.) The coarse tow of flax and hemp.
--McElrath.

n. The tow obtained from flax or hemp

Codilla is the name given to the broken fibres which are separated from the flax during the scutching process. On this account it is sometimes termed scutching tow. Quantities of this material are used along with heckled tow in the production of tow yarns.