- winch (v.)
- "to hoist with a winch," 1520s, from winch (n.). Related: Winched; winching.
- winch (n.)
- late 13c., from Old English wince "winch, pulley," from Proto-Germanic *winkja-, from PIE *weng- "to bend, curve" (see wink (v.)). Perhaps so called in reference to the bent handle.