"Flotsam" refers to debris or wreckage that is found floating on the surface of a body of water, typically as a result of a shipwreck or accident. This term is often used in maritime contexts to describe items that have been unintentionally released into the water, such as cargo, personal belongings, or parts of a vessel. In legal terms, flotsam is distinct from "jetsam," which refers to goods that are deliberately thrown overboard to lighten a ship's load. Both terms are part of maritime law and can have implications for ownership and salvage rights.