tarpaulin
noun /tɑːˈpɔːlɪn/
/tɑːrˈpɔːlɪn/
(also North American English, informal tarp)
[countable, uncountable]- a large sheet made of heavy waterproof material, used to cover things with and to keep rain off
- The car was covered with a black tarpaulin.
Word Originearly 17th cent.: probably from tar + the noun pall + -ing.