The word 'tarpaulin' has a nautical origin, emerging in English in the early 17th century. It is believed to be a compound of 'tar', referring to the waterproofing substance, and 'palling', an obsolete word for a coarse cloth or covering. An alternative theory suggests it derives from 'tar' plus 'paul', a sailor's nickname, with the '-in' suffix. The term originally referred to a sailor's tarred canvas cloak or hat and the material itself, before its meaning generalized to any heavy waterproof sheet. This evolution reflects the practical need for durable, weatherproof protection in maritime contexts.

The word 'tarpaulin' is a simplex word, meaning it is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern English. Its components are not independently recognizable morphemes in the current spelling.