poi

poi · noun¹

1. Hawaiian · borrowed frompoi
2. English todaypoi

Borrowed from Hawaiian poi.

poi · noun²

1. Māori · borrowed frompoi
2. English todaypoi

Borrowed from Māori poi.

First known use, by meaning

• from 18th c. The traditional staple food of Hawaii, made by baking and pounding the kalo (or taro) root, and reducing it to a thin paste, which is allowed to ferment.
• from 19th c. A small ball made of leaves and fibres, attached to a string.
• from 19th c. A traditional dance performed by Maori women involving the rhythmic swinging of such a ball.