capstan

Meaning

Noun

• A vertical cylindrical machine that revolves on a spindle, used to apply force to ropes, cables, etc. It is typically surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for levers used to turn it.
• A rotating spindle used to move recording tape through the mechanism of a tape recorder.

Origin

• Borrowed into Middle English from either Old French cabestan, from Old Occitan cabestan, from cabestre or from Spanish cabestran, both of which derive from Latin capistrum ("halter"), from capiō.