oakum Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun loose hemp or jute fiber obtained by unravelling old ropes; when impregnated with tar it was used to caulk seams and pack joints in wooden ships

WordNet

Oak"um noun
Etymology
AS. acumba; pref. (cf.G. er-, Goth. us-, orig. meaning, out) + cemban to comb, camb comb. See Comb.
Definitions
  1. The material obtained by untwisting and picking into loose fiber old hemp ropes; -- used for calking the seams of ships, stopping leaks, etc.
  2. The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling. Knight.

Webster 1913