verb
- past tense of handsel; to give a gift as a token of good luck or to inaugurate something
Usage: archaic
Examples
- The merchant handselled the new shop with a silver coin.
- She handselled the bride with a piece of jewelry for good fortune.
- The captain handselled the new ship before its maiden voyage.
- They handselled the house with bread and salt according to tradition.
- The craftsman handselled his apprentice with his first set of tools.