macadamize

Macadamize means to construct or surface a road using the method developed by Scottish engineer John McAdam in the early 19th century: layers of small, angular stones compacted together without tar or cement.

The stones lock together under pressure from traffic, creating a durable surface.

Later versions added tar to bind the stones, giving us tarmac.

The word now appears mostly in historical contexts, since modern paving has largely replaced the original technique.