whakakapowai
1. (verb) (-tia) to preserve by parboiling and drying (a human head).
Ka mutu te patu, ka hoki ki te puni; kei te tao i te tangata, kei te kai; kei whakakapowai i te upoko; ka maoa, kei te kōrero whakatū, "Kei a au a Raumati." (NM 1928:88). / When he had finished killing him, he returned to camp; the man was cooked and eaten; the head was preserved by parboiling and drying; when ready the statement was made, "I have Raumati."
Synonyms: kapokapowai