%oakum%

n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

White oakum, that made from untarred rope. [ 1913 Webster ]