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Webster 1913 Edition
Oakum
Oak′um
(ōk′ŭm)
, Noun.
[AS.
ācumba
; pref. ā-
(cf. G. 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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Oakum
OAKUM
,Noun.
The substance of old ropes untwisted and pulled into loose hemp; used for caulking the seams of ships, stopping leaks, &c. That formed from untarred ropes is called white oakum.