hankering

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

hankering
    n 1: a yearning for something or to do something [syn:
         {hankering}, {yen}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Hanker \Han"ker\ (h[a^][ng]"k[~e]r), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   {Hankered} (-k[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Hankering}.] [Prob.
   fr. hang; cf. D. hunkeren, hengelen.]
   1. To long (for) with a keen appetite and uneasiness; to have
      a vehement desire; -- usually with for or after; as, to
      hanker after fruit; to hanker after the diversions of the
      town. --Addison.
      [1913 Webster]

            He was hankering to join his friend.  --J. A.
                                                  Symonds.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To linger in expectation or with desire. --Thackeray.
      [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

20 Moby Thesaurus words for "hankering":
      Heimweh, aching, desiderium, homesick, homesickness, honing,
      languishing, languishment, longing, mal du pays, maladie du pays,
      nostalgia, nostalgic, nostomania, pining, wishful, wistful,
      yearnful, yearning, yen