I. ˈhan(t)-səl noun
Etymology: Middle English hansell
Date: 14th century
1. : a gift made as a token of good wishes or luck especially at the beginning of a new year
2. : something received first (as in a day of trading) and taken to be a token of good luck
3.
a. : a first installment : earnest money
b. : earnest , foretaste
II. transitive verb
( -seled or -selled ; -sel·ing or hand·sel·ling -s(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 15th century
1. : to give a handsel to
2. : to inaugurate with a token or gesture of luck or pleasure
3. : to use or do for the first time