turn the crankshaft of (an internal combustion engine) in order to start the engine

the starter motor struggled to crank the engine

move the pitch lever into the normal range and crank up the engine

give a bend to (a shaft, bar, etc.)

I've cranked the shaft of the gear lever to get it further away from the dashboard

inject a narcotic drug

he's been cranking up on smack

(of a shaft, bar, etc.) having a bend

the cranked axle allows the body of the carriage to be mounted lower