oakum
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishRelated topics: Wateroakumoa‧kum /ˈəʊkəm $ ˈoʊ-/ noun [uncountable] TTWsmall pieces of old rope used for filling up small holes in the sides of wooden shipsExamples from the Corpusoakum• Luckily I had a big case of oakum downstairs.• I sat on the floor among them and picked oakum.• Below: Caulking - filling the gaps between planks with rolled oakum.• Instead, he amused himself by pulling out the oakum from between the logs of the cabin.Origin oakum Old English acumba “material separated with a comb”