Pūwhā, pūhā. 1. n. Sonchus oleraceus, sowthistle; or any vegetable used as greens. Pūhā, tiotio, prickly sow-thistle. Pūhā pororua, smooth-leaved sow-thistle.
2. Some herb or sacred food, not necessarily thistle, eaten by the tauira, or pupil in certain rites and arts. ‖ Tr. xxxi, 631. Kua poua e au taku wahine ki tenei mahi, kua whangaia ki te puwha, kua karakiatia.
Maramara puwha, a rite to cause the pupil to retain the knowledge imparted.
3. v.t. Perform the puwha rite over. Puhatia ake ahau ki to maramara, he hiahia noku. Also maramara puwha. Ka maramara puwhatia te tauira, ka whangaia ki a ia.
Williams Dictionary
Puwha, puha, v.t. Spit out, belch out. Ka puwhaia nga kai ki waho.—Ka puhaina mai te moana e te Parata, ka pari te tai.—Puhaina mai ki a Te Paraha (M. 232).
‖ tuwha.
Williams Dictionary
