piupiun.
/ˈpiːuːpiːuː/, /ˈpjuːpjuː/, U.S. /ˈpiuˌpiu/, New Zealand English /ˈpiupiu/, /ˈpjuːpjuː/ New Zealand.
A Maori skirt made of a fringe of treated dried flax-blades attached to a waistband, now worn by men and women mainly on ceremonial occasions or for concert performances. Also: the dressed flax itself (now rare). Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > treated or processed textiles > [noun] > flax, hemp, or jute
piupiu1878
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > clothing for lower body > skirt > types of > made from specific material > other
futah1738
petticoat trousers1749
pareu1769
sisi1810
petticoat1814
grass skirt1875
tub-skirt1909
piupiu1938
cuddle skirt1958
1878 Akaroa (N.Z.) Mail 20 Aug. Robes of piu piu, korowai, or of dogskin, contributed a great variety of costume.
1905 W. Baucke Where White Man Treads 90 Who so..skilful in the weaving of piupiu, korowai, fancy mats as..Te Aatarangi?
1938 R. Finlayson Brown Man's Burden 30 He just threw his coat off and rolled his trousers up, but the other men wore old-time piupius, and their imitation battle-axes were quite clever.
1970 Times 23 Mar. 7/6 Down on the grass before her stood ranks of Maori men and women in Piu-Pius (flaxen skirts).
1978 P. Grace Mutuwhenua iii. 12 My mother and the others had been..bringing out the piupiu which had been rolled and sausaged into stockings and stored at the tops of our wardrobes.
2000 Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) (Nexis) 30 Aug. 33 A crowd of around 2000..crowded respectfully into the gallery behind the official party to the sombre beat of a bass drum, swishing piupiu, chants, waiata, and prayers.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1878