Definition of "hounsi"

At the entrance to the tent, the hounsis stretch out upon the mats.

1953, Maya Deren, Divine Horsemen, McPherson & Company, published 2004, page 48

Each hounsis remained anonymous, focused inward and turned away from the audience toward the poteau mitan and the drums.

1985, Wade Davis, The Serpent and the Rainbow, Simon & Schuster, page 48

In both Rada and Petwo modes of ritualizing, it is customary for ounsis to show respect to priests and priestesses through such ritual salutations.

1995, Karen McCarthy Brown, in Cosentino (ed.), Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou, South Sea International Press 1998, p. 214