to handsel (to give a gift to) [v HANSELED, HANSELING, HANSELLED, HANSELLING, HANSELS]
gift or token for good luck or as an expression of good wishes, as at the beginning of the new year or when entering upon a new situation or enterprise
first installment of payment
the initial experience of anything; first encounter with or use of something taken as a token of what will follow; foretaste
to give a handsel to
to inaugurate auspiciously
to use, try, or experience for the first time
to give a good luck gift to, also HANDSEL [v HANSELLED or HANSELED, HANSELLING or HANSELING, HANSELS]