n. & v. (also hansel)
--n.
1. a gift at the beginning of the new year, or on coming into new circumstances.
2 EARNEST(2) 1.
3 a foretaste.
--v.tr. (handselled, handselling; US handseled, handseling)
1. give a handsel to.
2 inaugurate.
3 be the first to try.
Etymology: ME, corresp. to OE handselen giving into a person's hands, ON handsal giving of the hand (esp. in promise), formed as HAND + OE sellan SELL