The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Windlass \Wind"lass\, n.[Perhaps from wind to turn + lace.]
   A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course; a shift.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Windlass \Wind"lass\, v. i.
   To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect
   means. [Obs.] --Hammond.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Windlass \Wind"lass\, n. [OE. windelas, windas, Icel.
   vindil[=a]ss, vind[=a]s, fr. vinda to wind + [=a]ss a pole;
   cf. Goth. ans a beam. See Wind to turn.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. A machine for raising weights, consisting of a horizontal
      cylinder or roller moving on its axis, and turned by a
      crank, lever, or similar means, so as to wind up a rope or
      chain attached to the weight. In vessels the windlass is
      often used instead of the capstan for raising the anchor.
      It is usually set upon the forecastle, and is worked by
      hand or steam.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending
      the bow of an arblast, or crossbow. [Obs.] --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   Chinese windlass. See Differential windlass, under
      Differential.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Windlass \Wind"lass\, v. t. & i.
   To raise with, or as with, a windlass; to use a windlass.
   --The Century.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

windlass
    n 1: lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned
         by a crank on which a cable or rope winds [syn: winch,
         windlass]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

19 Moby Thesaurus words for "windlass":
   Chinese windlass, Spanish windlass, capstan, crab, crane, derrick,
   erector, forklift, gantry crane, hoist, hydraulic tailgate, jack,
   jackscrew, lever, lift, lifter, reel, tackle, winch