Also tumatu-, tomata-kuru, -guru, tumatagowry, toomatoogooroo. [Maori.] A spiny, spreading New Zealand shrub, Discaria Toumatou, N.O. Rhamnaceæ, the thorns of which were used by the Maori in tattooing. Also called New Zealand Hawthorn, Wild Irishman, and corruptly MATAGOURI.
1859. J. T. Thowson, in Otago Gaz., 22 Sept., 264 (Morris). Much over-run with the scrub called ‘tomata-guru.’
1883. J. Hector, Handbk. N. Zealand, 131. Tumatakuru, Wild Irishman. A bush or small tree with spreading branches…. The spines were used by the Maoris for tatooing.
1898. Morris, Austral Eng., Tumata-kuru … Tumatagowry, or Matagory is the Southern corruption of contractors, labourers, and others.
