From compat_linux(8):
Code:
A lot of programs are dynamically linked. This means that the Linux
shared libraries that the programs depend on and the runtime linker are
also needed. Additionally, a "shadow root" directory for Linux binaries
on the OpenBSD system will have to be created. This directory is named
/emul/linux. Any file operations done by Linux programs run under
OpenBSD will look in this directory first. So, if a Linux program opens,
for example, /etc/passwd, OpenBSD will first try to open
/emul/linux/etc/passwd, and if that does not exist open the `real'
/etc/passwd file. It is recommended that Linux packages that include
configuration files, etc., be installed under /emul/linux, to avoid
naming conflicts with possible OpenBSD counterparts. Shared libraries
should also be installed in the shadow tree.