Okay, so imagine you are playing with a piece of string or rope. Now, imagine that same string or rope is made out of a special kind of fiber from the inside of oak trees. That's called oakum!
People have been using oakum for a really long time to help fill in gaps or cracks in things like wooden boats or buildings. It's kind of like a sticky filler - when you pack it into a space it helps keep air and water from getting in.
It might sound strange to use something from a tree to fix things, but oakum is actually really strong and durable. Plus, it's a renewable resource so we can keep using it without worrying about running out.
So, in summary, oakum is a special kind of fiber made from oak trees that is used to fill gaps and cracks in things to help keep air and water out.