Why is a gypsy on a sailing ship called a gypsy and what are the origins?

Question

Why is a gypsy on a sailing ship called a gypsy and what are the origins?

Answer 1

The "gypsy" is a large man-powered winch on the deck.  It has the poles that stick in it that the sailors would push to turn it as they walked around the "gypsy", or spool.  Kind-of like a windlass.

I'm not sure of the origins but they were installed on the Columbus ships from the late 1400's.