PLEDGET

Etymology

Noun

pledget (plural pledgets)

(medicine) A small flat absorbent pad of cotton or wool, used to medicate, drain, or protect a wound or sore.

A string of oakum used in calking.

Verb

pledget (third-person singular simple present pledgets, present participle pledgetting or pledgeting, simple past and past participle pledgetted or pledgeted)

(medicine, transitive) To apply a pledget to.

Source: Wiktionary

Pledg"et, n. Etym: [Prov. E., a small plug.]

1. A small plug. [Prov. End.]

2. (Naut.)

Definition: A string of oakum used in calking.

3. (Med.)

Definition: A compress, or small flat tent of lint, laid over a wound, ulcer, or the like, to exclude air, retain dressings, or absorb the matter discharged.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition