oakum

• Nom désignant une fibre grossière obtenue en défaisant de vieux cordages de chanvre ou de jute, historiquement imprégnée de goudron et utilisée pour calfater les joints et les coutures des navires en bois.

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.

indénombrable

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.

   Étoupe à calfater

   • 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.