windlass

Etymology

Comes from Middle English wyndlas, wyndelas, wyndlasse, wyndelasse, probably an altered form (influenced by Middle English windel) of Middle English windas, wyndas, wyndace, itself from Anglo-Norman windase, windeis and Old Northern French windas (compare Old French guindas, Medieval Latin windasius, windasa), from Old Norse vindáss (“windlass”, literally “winding-pole”), formed from vinda (“to wind”) and áss (“pole”). Compare Icelandic vindilass.