winch

A mechanical device that is used to wind or raise / lower a rope (either traditional or wire rope). It consists or a drum or spool and a winding mechanism. The mechanism can be a hand crank, motorized, or hydraulic. The drum or spool is often grooved when used with wire rope. There is some sort of latch or breaking mechanism that holds the drum / spool in place and keeps tension on the rope when not in operation.