I. winch 1 /wɪntʃ/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: wince ]
a machine with a rope or chain for lifting heavy objects
II. winch 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive always + adverb/preposition]
to lift something or someone up using a winch:
The two men were winched out of the sinking boat by an RAF helicopter.