train oil

oil obtained from the blubber of whales or from seals, walruses, or other marine animals.

Origin of train oil

1545–55; earlier trane < Dutch traan train oil, tear; cognate with German Träne tear

Under the lamp there is always another vessel intended to receive the train-oil which may possibly be spilled.

The Voyage of the Vega round Asia and Europe, Volume I and Volume II |A.E. Nordenskieold
Not for worlds would I undeceive the good fellow, not if this were train-oil.

Old Junk |H. M. Tomlinson
It was train-oil, linseed and hempseed, crushed up all together, and the bugs were to eat it till they burst.

Curious Facts in the History of Insects; Including Spiders and Scorpions. |Frank Cowan
In a word, their houses are as filthy as hog-sties; every thing in and about them stinking of fish, train-oil, and smoke.

A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 16 |Robert Kerr

On the north side of the harbour we found an old European or American train-oil boiling establishment.

The Voyage of the Vega round Asia and Europe, Volume I and Volume II |A.E. Nordenskieold

train oil

oil obtained from the blubber of various marine animals, esp the whale

C16: from earlier train or trane, from Middle Low German trān or Middle Dutch traen tear, exudation