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handsel

(hand′səl, han′səl)

noun

a present for good luck, as at the new year or on the launching of a new business
Rare
1. a first payment or first installment
2. the first money taken in by a new business or on any day of business
the first use or specimen of anything, regarded as a token of what is to follow

Origin: ME handsel < OE (rare) handselen, a giving into hand & ON handsal, sealing of a bargain by a handclasp (transl. of L mancipatio: see emancipation), both < hand + IE base of sell

transitive verb handseled or handselled, handseling or handselling

to give a handsel to
to begin or launch with ceremony and gifts
to use, do, etc. for the first time

Origin: ME handsellen < ON handselja

See handsel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A gift to express good wishes at the beginning of a new year or enterprise.
The first money or barter taken in, as by a new business or on the opening day of business, especially when considered a token of good luck.
a. A first payment.
b. A specimen or foretaste of what is to come.

transitive verb hand·seled or hand·selled also han·seled or han·selled, hand·sel·ing or hand·sel·ling also han·sel·ing or han·sel·ling, hand·sels also han·sels