In Tahiti, Hawaii, and other parts of eastern Polynesia: an upright, cylindrical wooden drum with a shark-skin head used to accompany dances and in religious ceremonies.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in William Ellis (1794–1872). From Hawaiian pahu and its cognate Tahitian pahu.
Definition of pahu in US English:
pahu
nounˈpɑːhuː
In Tahiti, Hawaii, and other parts of eastern Polynesia: an upright, cylindrical wooden drum with a shark-skin head used to accompany dances and in religious ceremonies.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in William Ellis (1794–1872). From Hawaiian pahu and its cognate Tahitian pahu.