oakum

• Sustantivo que designa una fibra suelta de cáñamo o yute, obtenida al deshilar cuerdas viejas, que históricamente se impregnaba con brea y se usaba para calafatear costuras y sellar juntas en barcos de madera.

A noun referring to loose hemp or jute fiber obtained by unravelling old ropes, which was historically impregnated with tar and used to caulk seams and pack joints in wooden ships.

incontable

1. Loose fiber for caulkingC2formal

   Loose hemp or jute fiber obtained by unravelling old ropes, often treated with tar and used to seal seams and joints in wooden ships.

   Estopa para calafatear

   • The sailors used oakum to caulk the ship's hull before the voyage.
   • Old ropes were unraveled to produce oakum for sealing the deck planks.
   • Tarred oakum was packed tightly into the joints to prevent leaks.