WINDLASS

I. noun Etymology: Middle English wyneles, wyndlas, alteration of wyndase, from Old French guindas, windas, from Old Norse vindāss, from vinda to wind (akin to Old High German wintan to wind) + āss pole; akin to Gothic ans beam Date: 13th century any of various machines for hoisting or hauling: as, a horizontal barrel supported on vertical posts and turned by a crank so that the hoisting rope is wound around the barrel, a steam or electric winch with horizontal or vertical shaft and two drums used to raise a ship's anchor, II. transitive verb Date: 1834 to hoist or haul with a ~