Handsel \Hand"sel\, n. [Written also hansel.]

[OE. handsal, hansal, hansel, AS. hands?lena giving into hands, or more prob. fr. Icel. handsal; hand hand + sal sale, bargain; akin to AS. sellan to give, deliver. See Sell, Sale. ]

1. A sale, gift, or delivery into the hand of another; especially, a sale, gift, delivery, or using which is the first of a series, and regarded as on omen for the rest; a first installment; an earnest; as the first money received for the sale of goods in the morning, the first money taken at a shop newly opened, the first present sent to a young woman on her wedding day, etc.

Their first good handsel of breath in this world. --Fuller.

Our present tears here, not our present laughter, Are but the handsels of our joys hereafter. --Herrick.

2. Price; payment. [Obs.]

--Spenser.

Handsel Monday, the first Monday of the new year, when handsels or presents are given to servants, children, etc.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Handsel \Hand"sel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handseled or Handseled; p. pr. & vb. n. Handseling or Handselling.]

[Written also hansel.]

[OE handsellen, hansellen; cf. Icel. hadsala, handselja. See Handsel, n.]

1. To give a handsel to.

2. To use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.

No contrivance of our body, but some good man in Scripture hath handseled it with prayer. --Fuller.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)