Meaning

noun the setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account

noun an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people

noun a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

originThe verb is derived from canvas (“type of coarse cloth woven from hemp”). The connection between “to toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet; (by extension) to batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something); etc.” and “to seek the support of voters or a constituency in a forthcoming election or poll” is not entirely clear. The noun is derived from the verb. It has been suggested that noun sense 4.2…

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0