Handsel

n. [Dan. handsel, händsel, Sw. handsöl, Icel. handsal, O. D. hanseel; A-S. handselen, handsyllen, a giving into hands, handsellan, hand-syllan, to deliver up, from sellan, syllan, to give, deliver. See SEL and SALE.] A sale, gift, or delivery into the hand of another; especially, a sale, gift, or delivery, or a using which is the first of a series, and regarded as an omen for the rest; a first installment; an earnest; as, the first money received for the sale of goods in the morning, the first money taken at a shop newly opened, the first present sent to a young woman on her wedding day, &c. “Their first good handsel of breath in this world.” Fuller.

Our present tears here, not our present laughter, Are but the handsels of our joys hereafter. Herrick.

[The buried child] was my first handsel and propine to heaven. Mrs. A. S. Monteath.