tarp

Etymology

Clipping of tarpaulin.

noun

1. A tarpaulin.
   [Ignatz, under the rain:] It's a good thing I had this tarp handy. … / [Officer Pupp:] Gimme that canvas, it's much more important that I keep dry. June 26 1934, George Herriman, Krazy Kat, comic strip, page 172
   {Gun pointing at head} Sorry, Quigley, but you had your chance to cooperate. / Bob, straighten the tarp, we don’t want the rug splattered. 1986, Paul Chadwick, Concrete: Under the Desert Stars, Dark Horse Books

verb

1. To cover something with a tarpaulin.
   The load may be tarped for serious white water, but tarped or not, everything should be tied securely in case of capsize. 2001, Verne Huser, River Running: Canoeing, Kayaking, Rowing, Rafting, page 136