MOTHBALL

mothball, camphor ball

(noun) a small sphere of camphor or naphthalene used to keep moths away from stored clothing

mothball

(verb) put into long-term storage

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

mothball (plural mothballs)

(usually, in plural) A small ball of chemical pesticide (typically naphthalene) and deodorant placed in or around clothing and other articles susceptible to damage from mold or moth larvae in order to protect them from this damage.

Verb

mothball (third-person singular simple present mothballs, present participle mothballing, simple past and past participle mothballed)

(transitive) To store or shelve something no longer used.

Synonyms: store, shelve, set aside, defer

(transitive, figuratively) To stop using (something), but keep it in good condition.