whatta
English
Noun
whatta (plural whattas)
- (archaic, historical) A scaffold used by the Tahitians for animal sacrifices.
- 1784, James Cook, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean
- Small offerings of fruit and roots seemed to be daily made at this shrine, as some pieces were quite fresh. These were deposited upon a whatta, or altar, which stood without the pallisades; and within these we were not permitted to enter.
- 1784, James Cook, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean