Tarpaulin

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.

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.