Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - handsel

 I. 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; -seling or ~ling)  Date: 15th century  1. to give a ~ to  2. to inaugurate with a token or gesture of luck or pleasure  3. to use or do for the first time