What is that stuff that janitors throw over puke?

Factual Questions
1

And what does it do?

2

When I worked at an amusement park, we threw sawdust over puke. It soaked up the wet bits so that you could then sweep it up with a broom later without getting the broom soaking wet.

3

I think the general term for this type of material (dry stuff used to soak up wet stuff) is sorbents. Cat litter is one.

4

I have used both the above-mentioned substances (sawdust and cat litter-type clay) to absorb vomit for easier cleaning.