WINCH

winch, windlass

(noun) lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds

winch

(verb) pull or lift up with or as if with a winch; “winch up the slack line”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Noun

winch (plural winches)

A machine consisting of a drum on an axle, a friction brake or ratchet and pawl, and a crank handle or prime mover (often an electric or hydraulic motor), with or without gearing, to give increased mechanical advantage when hauling on a rope or cable.

(nautical) A hoisting machine used for loading or discharging cargo, or for hauling in lines. (FM 55-501).

A wince (machine used in dyeing or steeping cloth).

A kick, as of an animal, from impatience or uneasiness.

Verb

winch (third-person singular simple present winches, present participle winching, simple past and past participle winched)

To use a winch

Etymology 2

Verb

winch (third-person singular simple present winches, present participle winching, simple past and past participle winched)

To wince; to shrink

To kick with impatience or uneasiness.

Proper noun

Winch

(informal) A city in England t1=Winchester

Source: Wiktionary

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Winch, v. i. Etym: [See Wince.]

Definition: To wince; to shrink; to kick with impatience or uneasiness.

Winch, n.

Definition: A kick, as of a beast, from impatience or uneasiness. Shelton.

Winch, n. Etym: [OE. winche, AS. wince a winch, a reel to wind thread upon. Cf. Wink.]

1. A crank with a handle, for giving motion to a machine, a grindstone, etc.

2. An instrument with which to turn or strain something forcibly.

3. An axle or drum turned by a crank with a handle, or by power, for raising weights, as from the hold of a ship, from mines, etc.; a windlass.

4. A wince.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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