tarpaulin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a large sheet of strong waterproof material used to cover and protect things

   They tied a tarpaulin over the timber before the storm.

2. 2
   noun

   historically, tarred canvas or an article such as a sailor's hat made from it

   The sailor wore a stiff tarpaulin hat against the spray.

Originally tarpauling, from tar plus palling, 'heavy canvas covering.' Sailors waterproofed canvas with tar, and the material's name later became the general term for a strong weatherproof sheet.

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