Mid 19th century; earliest use found in John Edward Gray (1800–1875), zoologist and museum curator. From Maori moko-moko, mokomoko lizard, skink, gecko.
Definition of moko-moko in US English:
moko-moko
noun
NZ
A small lizard, especially a gecko or a skink.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in John Edward Gray (1800–1875), zoologist and museum curator. From Maori moko-moko, mokomoko lizard, skink, gecko.