ˈhændsəl 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. [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]