winze1

[winz] /wɪnz/
noun, Mining.
1.
a vertical or inclined shaft driven downward from a drift into an orebody.
Also, windz.
Compare raise (def 38).
Origin
1750-60; earlier winds, apparently derivative of wind2 in obsolete noun sense “apparatus for winding”

winze2

[winz] /wɪnz/
noun, Scot.
1.
a curse.
Origin
1775-85; perhaps < Dutch wens wish, wensen to wish; see wish
British Dictionary definitions for winze

winze

/wɪnz/
noun
1.
(mining) a steeply inclined shaft, as for ventilation between levels
Word Origin
C18: from earlier winds, probably from C14 wynde windlass, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German winde; related to Danish vinde pulley