The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pledget \Pledg"et\, n. [Prov. E., a small plug.]
   1. A small plug. [Prov. End.]
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Naut.) A string of oakum used in calking.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Med.) 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.
      [1913 Webster]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

36 Moby Thesaurus words for "pledget":
   Ace bandage, Band-Aid, adhesive tape, application, band, bandage,
   bandaging, binder, brace, cast, cataplasm, compress, cotton,
   court plaster, cravat, dressing, elastic bandage, epithem,
   four-tailed bandage, gauze, lint, plaster, plaster cast, poultice,
   roller, roller bandage, rubber bandage, sling, splint, sponge,
   stupe, tampon, tape, tent, tourniquet, triangular bandage