donkey engine

English

A donkey engine

Noun

donkey engine (plural donkey engines)

2. (chiefly historical) A steam-powered winch, once widely used in logging operations, also found in the mining and maritime industries.

   Synonym: steam donkey

4. (chiefly historical) Any of a class of machines that used donkeys as a source of power to an output shaft or sheave.

   Coordinate terms: horse power, horse engine, water engine, wind engine, watermill, windmill

Related terms

• pony engine
• steam engine

See also

• iron horse