Probably from the English word "wish," wishfulness.
"Stories from Tagore"
Rabindranath Tagore
While the mother was thus occupied, she kept looking across at her baby, who seemed to be watching her with comical wishfulness.
"The Lost Trail"
Edward S. Ellis
Her bonnet was pushed far back; the wind ruffled the bright hair about her forehead; the wonder and glory and delight of it all made her deep eyes shine with a child's curiosity and avid wishfulness.
"The Power and the Glory"
Grace MacGowan Cooke