kaokao, n. 1. Ribs.
2. Side, of the body, of a canoe, etc.; not used like taha to indicate position.
3. A pattern of tukutuku lattice-work.
4. a. Sideways on. Pewhea te takoto o taua mara, he kaokao ranei, he matanui ranei (i.e., does it lie sideways on to the rising sun or does it face east)? (Kah.).
Williams Dictionary