vavai, n.

1. The kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) and the cotton-like material in its fruit.

Tē ‘a‘aki vavai nei māua ‘ei ma‘ani ro‘i.
We are picking kapok to make beds with;

Taria mai tēnā ngā pūtē vavai, kia ma‘ani‘ia tēta‘i pūtē urunga.
Bring those two sacks of kapok to make pillows with.

2. Cottonwool.

E tāmā‘ū‘ū i te vavai ki te vairākau ka ‘ōrei ei i te motu i runga i tōna turi.
Soak the cottonwool in an antiseptic before you clean out the cut on his knee.
[Pn. *wawai.]