<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a gift or token for good luck or as an expression of good wishes, as at the beginning of the new year or when entering upon a new situation or enterprise.</li><li>Rare: a first installment of payment.</li><li>Rare: the initial experience of anything; first encounter with or use of something taken as a token of what will follow; foretaste.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object)<ul><li>handseled, handseling or (especially British) handselled, handselling.</li><li>to give (someone) a gift for good luck or as an expression of good wishes, especially at the beginning of the new year or the launch of a new enterprise.</li><li>Older Use: to inaugurate auspiciously.</li><li>Older Use: to use, try, or experience for the first time.</li></ul></li></ul>