Oakum
Pronunciation : Oak"um
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [AS. acumba; pref. er-, Goth. us-, orig. meaning, out) + cemban to comb, camb comb. See Comb.]
Definition : 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913