poupoun.
/ˈpəʊpəʊ/, U.S. /ˈpoʊˌpoʊ/, New Zealand English /ˈpoupou/, /ˈpʌupʌu/ New Zealand.
A carved wooden post forming part of the solid framework of the walls of a Maori whare.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > framework of building > [noun] > other supporting members
studeOE
bracket1574
prick post1587
cantilever?1677
stud piece1799
squinch1840
main couple1842
veranda pillar1852
porch post1871
mushroom1907
poupou1921
1921 H. Guthrie-Smith Tutira xi. 95 It was his body which was to be buried beneath the poupous—uprights supporting the framework of the whare.
1937 King Country Chron. 9 Jan. 4 Carvers..at Ohinemutu are at present on the last of the heavy pou pou slabs for the Wairoa..meeting house.
1955 W. J. Phillipps Maori Carving Illustr. 40 Rafters are supported below by upright slabs, poupou, which are often carved.
2001 H. Gilbert Postcolonial Plays 348/2 Individuated poupou, the carved wooden posts that stand inside a marae, underline the solo actor's transference from one character to another.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1921