What does "eyelet" mean?

Eyelet: A metal ring or grommet, or short metallic tube, the ends of which can be bent outward and over to fasten it in place; -- used to line an eyelet hole. Eyelet hole, a hole made for an eyelet. -- Eyelet punch, a machine for punching eyelet holes and fastening eyelets, as in paper or cloth. -- Eyelet ring. See Eyelet, 2.