hansel

UK: /ˈhæns^əl/ US: (han′səl)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

han•sel  (han′səl), n., v.t., -seled, -sel•ing or (esp. Brit.) -selled, -sel•ling. 

1. British Terms handsel.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hansel / ˈhæns^əl/ noun , verb

1. a variant spelling of handsel

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hand•sel  (han′səl), n., v., -seled, -sel•ing or (esp. Brit.) -selled, -sel•ling. 
n. 

1. 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.
2. a first installment of payment.
3. the initial experience of anything;
   first encounter with or use of something taken as a token of what will follow;
   foretaste.

v.t. 

4. to give a handsel to.
5. to inaugurate auspiciously.
6. to use, try, or experience for the first time.

Also, hansel. 

• bef. 1050; Middle English handselne good-luck token, good-will gift, Old English handselen manumission, literally, hand-gift (see hand, sell); cognate with Danish handsel, earnest money

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

handsel, hansel / ˈhæns^əl/ noun

1. a gift for good luck at the beginning of a new year, new venture, etc

verb ( -sels, -selling, -selled) ( -sels, -seling, -seled)(transitive)

1. to give a handsel to (a person)
2. to begin (a venture) with ceremony; inaugurate

Etymology: Old English handselen delivery into the hand; related to Old Norse handsal promise sealed with a handshake, Swedish handsöl gratuity; see hand, sell