Puhi (i). 1. n. Topknot; a method of wearing the hair tied up on the top of the head like a sheaf. Puta ke ti tetehi wahi korero ai, e rua puhi kei te rae (T. 101).
2. Bunch of feathers, etc., as an ornament; especially the plumes decorating a canoe. He mea puhipuhi a runga me nga taha, me raro, ki te puhi kereru (T. 154). Te whatinga i reira te puhi a te waka (M. 198).
3. A bunch of grass, etc., set on a pole as a sign that property should not be molested. ‖ rahui.
4. A post or some other object set up for purposes of witchcraft. Nga puhi a Puarata raua ko Tautohito, he puhi makutu i tu ki Puketapu (T. 175). Puhi-kai-ariki, the little carved figure, facing the bow, at the base of the taurapa, or stern-post of a canoe.
5. An incantation used in time of war.
6. v.t. Deck with feathers. E hine ranei, e puhi ki te kakara (Deck yourself with scented plumes) (M. 16).
7. Make into bunches. Na reira ano i tunu ake, e ki ana he matua tangata; kaore, he mea puhi ki te otaota (T. 101).
puhipuhi. 1. v.t. Decorate with feathers, bunches of hair, etc. Ka mau ki te taiki, he mea puhipuhi … ki te puhi kereru (T. 154). E uira ana te paua me te whakairo, puhipuhi rawa ki te waero (T. 21).
2. a. Bunched up, in bunches. Ka puhipuhi te tupu o te kapana.
3. n. Spawn of crayfish.
Williams Dictionary
Puhi (ii). 1. n. Virgin. He puhi te wahine nei, kahore he tane i pa noa ki a ia (T. 188). Certain young women of high rank were very strictly guarded in this respect.
2. Betrothed woman. He puhi koe naku, te ipo kei te moenga (M. 352).
3. A much-courted unbetrothed young woman.
4. v.t. Betroth. Ko tera wahine kua oti te puhi ma Rangiwhapapa; … a e puhi tonu ana mana (J. xx, 87).
wharepuhi = whare kohanga.
puhinga, n. Period of virginity. Kua hapu ia i tona puhinga ai (M. 86).
Williams Dictionary
Puhi (iv), n. 1. A very large variety of eel. = hao.
2. A fresh-water fish, a variety of kokopu.
Williams Dictionary
