A
tarpaulin , or
tarp, is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water-resistant or
waterproof material, often
cloth such as
canvas or polyester coated with
urethane, or made of
plastics such as
polyethylene. In some places such as
Australia, and in military slang, a tarp may be known as a
hootch. Tarpaulins often have reinforced
grommets at the corners and along the sides to form attachment points for
rope, allowing them to be tied down or suspended.