flotsam

 
Pronunciation: /ˈflɒts(ə)m/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the wreckage of a ship or its cargo found floating on or washed up by the sea. Compare with jetsam
  • people or things that have been rejected or discarded as worthless: the room was cleared of boxes and other flotsam

Phrases

flotsam and jetsam

useless or discarded objects.

Origin:

early 17th century: from Anglo-Norman French floteson, from floter 'to float'