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hankering

noun

a longing; craving.

verb (used without object)

to have a restless or incessant longing (often followed by after, for, or an infinitive).

verb

(foll by for, after, or an infinitive) to have a yearning (for something or to do something)

“mental craving,” 1660s, see hanker.

c.1600, of unknown origin, probably from Flemish hankeren, related to Dutch hunkeren “to hanker,” of unknown origin; perhaps an intensive of Middle Dutch hangen “to hang” (see hang (v.)). If so, the notion is of “lingering about” with longing or craving. Related: Hankered; hankering.