Handsel

n.	1.	A sale, gift, or delivery into the hand of another; especially, a sale, gift, delivery, or using which is the first of a series, and regarded as an omen for the rest; a first installment; an earnest; as the first money received for the sale of goods in the morning, the first money taken at a shop newly opened, the first present sent to a young woman on her wedding day, etc. Their first good handsel of breath in this world. - Fuller. Our present tears here, not our present laughter, Are but the handsels of our joys hereafter. - Herrick.
	2.	Price; payment. Handsel Monday the first Monday of the new year, when handsels or presents are given to servants, children, etc.
v. t.	1.	To give a handsel to. [imp. & p. p. Handseled or Handselled (hănd"sĕld); p. pr. & vb. n. Handseling or Handselling.]
	2.	To use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally. No contrivance of our body, but some good man in Scripture hath handseled it with prayer. - Fuller.

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