to haul in (hand over hand); to pull in; to draw in; to reel in
to trace (history, threads of a story, etc.); to retrace (e.g. memories); to go over; to unravel
漁師は網を懸命に手繰った。
The fisherman hauled in the net desperately.
登山家はロープを手繰って荷物を固定した。
The climber pulled in the rope hand over hand to secure the load.
織り手は糸が絡まないように、絹糸をゆっくりと手繰る。
The weaver slowly reels in the silk thread to prevent tangles.