oilskin

[ oil-skin ]

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.

oilskin

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of oilskin¹

First recorded in 1805–15; oil + skin

Example Sentences

They took off their oilskins and boots and awaited help.

From Seattle Times

There were no oilskins, and the men were dressed in wool, which got wet and stayed wet for the duration of the voyage.

From Literature

They had put on one-piece oilskins they had found beneath the driver's seat.

From Literature

My quiet, unassuming father, whose voice could hardly be heard in church, stood there in his oilskins, his rubber-gloved hands on his tongs, and sang to the oysters.

From Literature

The oilskin garments on the dummy seemed to confirm the fishy provenance.

From Washington Post