a winch, esp. a simple one for lifting an anchor, a bucket in a well, etc.
transitive verb, intransitive verb
to hoist, lower, or haul with a windlass
See windlass in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(wĭndˈləs)
noun
Any of numerous hauling or lifting machines consisting essentially of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank or a motor so that a line attached to the load is wound around the cylinder.