The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hoist \Hoist\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hoisted; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Hoisting.] [OE. hoise, hyse, OD. hyssen, D. hijshen; akin
   to LG. hissen, Dan. hisse, Sw. hissa.]
   To raise; to lift; to elevate; esp., to raise or lift to a
   desired elevation, by means of tackle, as a sail, a flag, a
   heavy package or weight.
   [1913 Webster]

         They land my goods, and hoist my flying sails. --Pope.
   [1913 Webster]

         Hoisting him into his father's throne.   --South.
   [1913 Webster]

   Hoisting engine, a steam engine for operating a hoist.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hoist \Hoist\, n.
   1. That by which anything is hoisted; the apparatus for
      lifting goods.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The act of hoisting; a lift. [Colloq.]
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Naut.)
      (a) The perpendicular height of a flag, as opposed to the
          fly, or horizontal length when flying from a staff.
      (b) The height of a fore-and-aft sail next the mast or
          stay. --Totten.
          [1913 Webster]

   Hoist bridge, a drawbridge that is lifted instead of being
      swung or drawn aside.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hoist \Hoist\, p. p.
   Hoisted. [Obs.]
   [1913 Webster]

         'T is the sport to have the enginer
         Hoist with his own petar.                --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

hoist
    n 1: lifting device for raising heavy or cumbersome objects
    v 1: raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help; "hoist
         the bicycle onto the roof of the car" [syn: hoist,
         lift, wind]
    2: move from one place to another by lifting; "They hoisted the
       patient onto the operating table"
    3: raise; "hoist the flags"; "hoist a sail" [syn: hoist, run
       up]