oilskin

[ oil-skin ]

/ ˈɔɪlˌskɪn /

noun

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

a piece of this.

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.

Nearby words

oillet, oillionaire, oilman, oilpaper, oilseed, oilskin, oilspot glaze, oilstone, oiltight, oily, oink

Origin of oilskin

First recorded in 1805–15; oil + skin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for oilskin

One man doffed his jersey for Philip's benefit, and then they hastily covered him with oilskin coat and overalls.
The King of Diamonds|Louis Tracy
A rough-looking sailor wearing a sou'wester and an oilskin hat was with Bob.
Nobody's Boy|Hector Malot
"'Tis warm," said the man who had cut away the oilskin cap, and with his hand he wiped the blood away from the eyes and mouth.
The Last Hope|Henry Seton Merriman
From behind the wheel-box in the stern protruded a hand and forearm in an oilskin sleeve.
Moran of the Lady Letty|Frank Norris

And the deep grave weltering below you, and only a ring of cork and oilskin to keep you out of that cold home.
The Chequers|James Runciman

British Dictionary definitions for oilskin

oilskin

/ (ˈɔɪlˌskɪn) /

noun

a cotton fabric treated with oil and pigment to make it waterproof
(as modifier)an oilskin hat

(often plural) a protective outer garment of this fabric

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012