The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Epaulet \Ep"au*let`\, Epaulette \Ep"au*lette`\, n. [F.
   ['e]paulette, dim. of ['e]paule shoulder, fr. L. spatula a
   broad piece (LL., shoulder), dim. of spatha abroad, flat
   instrument, fr. Gr. ?, also, a broad rib, shoulder blade. See
   Spade the instrument, and cf. Epaule, Spatula.] (Mil.)
   A shoulder ornament or badge worn by military and naval
   officers, differences of rank being marked by some peculiar
   form or device, as a star, eagle, etc.; a shoulder knot.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: In the United States service the epaulet is reserved
         for full dress uniform. Its use was abolished in the
         British army in 1855. Epauleted

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

epaulet
    n 1: adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the
         shoulder [syn: epaulet, epaulette]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

22 Moby Thesaurus words for "epaulet":
   Hershey bar, aviation badge, badge, bar, chevron, chicken, eagle,
   hash mark, insignia of branch, oak leaf, organization insignia,
   overseas bar, parachute badge, patch, pip, service stripe,
   shoulder patch, shoulder sleeve insignia, spread eagle, star,
   stripe, submarine badge



The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

EPAULET, n.  An ornamented badge, serving to distinguish a military
officer from the enemy -- that is to say, from the officer of lower
rank to whom his death would give promotion.