oilskin

American  

[oil-skin] / ˈɔɪlˌskɪn /

noun

1. a cotton fabric made waterproof by treatment with oil and used for rain gear and fishermen's clothing.

2. a piece of this.

3. Often oilskins a garment made of this, especially a long, full-cut raincoat or a loose-fitting suit of pants and jacket as worn by sailors for protection against rain.

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oilskin British  

/ ˈɔɪlˌskɪn /

noun

1. 1. a cotton fabric treated with oil and pigment to make it waterproof

   2. ( as modifier )

      an oilskin hat

2. (often plural) a protective outer garment of this fabric

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Etymology

Origin of oilskin

First recorded in 1805–15; oil + skin

Example Sentences

Helly Hansen traces its roots back to a Norwegian mariner of the same name, who produced his first oilskin weather protective waterproof jacket in 1877.

From Reuters • Jul. 13, 2012

When he returns, tanned and wild-haired in an Australian oilskin, he stays just long enough for her to fall in love.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2011

The concept was based on contrasts: utilitarian oilskin leather and sequins or ultralight mohair used for tweedy tailoring.

From New York Times • Feb. 18, 2010

So publicity-wise Schiaparelli created for her, among other things, a black oilskin coat lined with fluffy lamb's wool and equipped with huge pockets�just the thing for a Paris air raid or Kalamazoo.

From Time Magazine Archive

Beside the dead man lay his deerskin pack with the oilskin and the lantern and the little horn box of bloodmoss ointment.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman