Ākau, n. 1. Shore, coast, especially rocky coast. Noho ana i te akau o te moana (T. 96). Akau roa, and akaunga roa, circuitous route. He akau roa ano tera, he tukutata tenei.
2. Bank, of a stream. Ka tango ia ki tana tira … ki te akau o te wai (M. lxxxiii).
3. Reef. Ko te akau tera i tahuri ai taua waka, ko Te Huripureiata.
Williams Dictionary
Akau, a. —— Hoe akau, steering paddle. Ka whakaturia nga kai mau o nga hoe; ko Taipupuni ki te hoe akau.
Williams Dictionary