WHAT IS A TARPAULIN?

A tarpaulin is a large sheet of waterproof material available in various sizes, usually made from plastic like HDPE, LDPE or PVC. Ago, they were used to cover objects on ships from where it gets its name - tar+palling meaning a "tarred canvas". 

These large sheets have grommets or reinforced holes at the corners and along the edges at regular intervals which are used to pass nylon ropes through them so that they can be tied to an anchor. The main use of tarpaulins is to provide shelter from rains and in some cases, even from sun and winds.