[winch] n [ME winche roller, reel, fr. OE wince; akin to OE wincian to wink] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various machines or instruments for hauling or pulling; esp: a powerful machine with one or more drums on which to coil a rope, cable, or chain for hauling or hoisting: windlass
2: a crank with a handle for giving motion to a machine (as a grindstone)
[2]winch vt (1529): to hoist or haul with or as if with a winch -- winch.er n