Flow rate, what is it

mine tends to slightly under extrude. I have flow rate controls as well it is 94. The flow (extrusion multiplier) is fixed to a filament so I can tune filament to filament in my case I have not found it is needed but for a few here and there. CF for example. The flow rate is on the printer and can be tuned live as needed. For small foot print things I might slow the printer for a while 10-20 layers say and perhaps add or subtract flow rate to increase adhesion or decrease elephant foot. Then return it to normal. I could do that in gcode but I have printed so much that I find I can judge the actual print as it is made more accurately.