floater (n.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict[floater 词源字典]
"one who or that which floats," 1717, agent noun from float (v.). From 1847 in political slang for an independent voter (but with suggestion of purchasability); 1859 as "one who frequently changes place of residence or employment." Meaning "dead body found in water" is 1890, U.S. slang.[floater etymology, floater origin, 英语词源]