toetoe. 1. v.t. Split into strips or shreds. He ika ka ripiripia, he ika ka toetoea. he ika ka haehaea (M. 418).
2. n. Grass, sedge, etc., of various species, particularly Arundo kakao (conspicua), which was known as toetoe kakaho, in some districts toetoe mokoro, a superior variety used for thatching being toetoe rakau. ‖ J. v, 150. Toetoe kiwi and toetoe ngaungau, Gahnia lacera. Toetoe rautahi, Carex ternaria. Toetoe mātā, Carex diandra and Gahnia lacera. Toetoe upoko-tangata, toetoe whatumanu or whatu-pakau, Mariscus ustulatus. Toetoe hunangamoho, Danthonia cunninghamii. Toetoe tara-ngarara, Gahnia sp. Toetoe tuhara, Vincentia anceps. The epithets tahae, kura, puatau, and tuauru distinguished other unidentified graminaceous plants. Ka tae ki nga rito harakeke, ki nga rito toetoe (T. 127). Tena ra, e hika ma, nga toetoe whakaongaonga o roto o te whanga ka wharau (M. 160). Ka tae ki te toetoe, toe-toe whatu-pakau nei, takiritia mai (T. 188).
3. Thatch of rushes; so shingles (mod.), with possibly a consciousness of the splitting process.
4. Bowdleria punctata. = koroatito, kotata, kukurutoki, matata, nako.
Williams Dictionary
