Mid 18th century. From Suriname Dutch paauwies, pauwis, pauwies (1835 or earlier; also powese, powis, powees (both 1854 or earlier)), of uncertain origin, probably ultimately from Dutch pauw, †paauw peacock, perhaps after an (unidentified) Papiamentu word, or perhaps via an (unattested) Papiamentu borrowing of the Dutch word: see note.