The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Handsel \Hand"sel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handseled or
   Handselled (h[a^]nd"s[e^]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Handseling
   or Handselling.] [Written also hansel.] [OE handsellen,
   hansellen; cf. Icel. hadsala, handselja. See Handsel, n.]
   1. To give a handsel to.
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   2. To use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make
      fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.
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            No contrivance of our body, but some good man in
            Scripture hath handseled it with prayer. --Fuller.
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