Lewis & Short

păvĭo, īvi, ītum, 4, v. a. [kindr. with παιω], to beat, strike.

  1. I. Lit.: pavit aequor harenam, Lucr. 2, 376: aliquid ex ore pavire terram, Cic. Div. 2, 34, 72.
  2. II. Transf., to beat, ram, or tread down: aream esse oportet solidam, terrā pavitā, Varr. R. R. 1, 51, 1: sato pavitur terra, Plin. 19, 7, 36, § 120: pavimenta fistucis pavita, id. 36, 25, 61, § 185: pavitum solum, Col. 1, 6, 16.
    Hence, păvītum, i, n., a hard-beaten floor, a pavement (post-class.), Paul. Nol. Carm. 25, 37.