From PIE *wenh₁- (to desire, to love) — same root as Latin 'venus' and English 'win.'
To feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that is not easily attainable.
From Old English 'wȳscan' meaning 'to wish, desire, long for,' from Proto-Germanic *wunskijaną (to wish), from PIE root *wenh₁- (to desire, to strive for, to love). This same PIE root produced Latin 'venus' (love, desire) and the name of the goddess Venus, as well as English 'win' and 'wean.' The deep connection between wishing and winning is etymological: both spring from a root about striving toward
The words 'wish,' 'win,' and 'Venus' all descend from the same PIE root *wenh₁- (to desire, to love). The Roman goddess of love takes her name from the same ancient impulse that drives both wishing and winning. 'Winsome' (charming, attractive) is also from this root — a winsome person is literally one who inspires desire.