A "
floater" is also a
dead person who has been thrown into, and subsequently found in, a
river.
This term is popular in detective novels and books about hard-nosed cops in New York.
Example: "I got to the office, only spilling my cup of god-awful instant coffee once. As soon as I got in Larry looked over and tilted his head in my direction.
'We got 'nother floater for you, Sarge'.
Great. Just what I needed when my in-tray was overflowing. A body, no leads, no perp in the cell. I needed a drink".