Tāwhiri. 1. v.t. Beckon, wave to. Tawhiritia te ope ta kia haere mai.
2. Bid welcome. E haere atu ana te tangata, ka pa te tawhiri (T. 139).
3. Whirl round, wring the neck by whirling round.
page 409
4. Fan a fire. Ka whakakangia, ka tawhiritia, a ka tahuna te umu (W. ii, 10).
5. n. Pittosporum tenuifolium. So called from its being waved as a demonstration of welcome. Tawhiri karo, Pittosporum cornifolium, a shrub.
6. Gum of Pittosporum tenuifolium, used as a scent. Ka hoki ia ki te pani i tona whare ki te tawhiri (T. 192).
Williams Dictionary