Tarpaulin

From Freepedia

A tarpaulin or tarp is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water resistant or waterproof cloth, often canvas coated with plastic or latex. Tarps are used as shelter from the elements — i.e. wind, rain, or sunlight — and may also be used for ground cover in camping or for protecting vehicles from damage.

Tarps often have reinforced grommets at the corners and along the sides to form attachment points for lines.

The word tarpaulin originated as a compound of the words tar and palling, referring to a tarred canvas pall used to cover objects on ships. By association, sailors became known as tarpaulins and eventually tars.

"Tarpaulin" is also an informal name for a sailor.

See also: basha (tarpaulin)

See also: visquine (tarpaulin)