winch

 
Pronunciation: /wɪn(t)ʃ/

noun

  • 1a hauling or lifting device consisting of a rope or chain winding round a horizontal rotating drum, turned typically by a crank or by motor.
  • British the reel of a fishing rod.
  • another term for wince2.
  • 2the crank of a wheel or axle.

verb

[with object]
  • hoist or haul with a winch: an attempt to winch survivors of the wreck into a helicopter

Derivatives

wincher

noun

Origin:

late Old English wince 'reel, pulley', of Germanic origin; related to the verb wink. The verb dates from the early 16th century