Category:Oakum

Oak"um, n. Etym: [as. acumba; pref. er-, goth. us-, orig. meaning, Out) + cemban to comb, camb comb. See comb.]

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. White oakum, that made from untarred rope.