kōauau, n. 1. A kind of musical instrument played with the nose: also a flute for mouth. Ka whakatangi au i taku koauau (T. 76).
2. Durvillea antaretica, bull kelp.
3. Fern root of good quality. Rua koauau, store for kumara.
4. A fish.
5. Slender and fragile, of shoots growing on badly stored kumara. (Po.).
Williams Dictionary