Tarp
/tɑːrp/noun
A waterproof sheet of material used for covering or protecting something.
Did you know?Tarp is a shortening of tarpaulin, a nautical word that originally referred to a tarred canvas sheet used at sea to shield cargo and crew from the elements.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
English
tarpaulin
“A tarred canvas covering used on ships.”
18th–19th Century
English
tarpaulin
“A waterproof sheet or cover; also a sailor’s hat, by extension.”
Late 19th Century
English
tarp
“A clipped form of tarpaulin, first used in American English.”
Modern English
English
tarp
“A protective sheet of heavy material, often plastic.”