What is "handselling"

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.

2. To use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.

   No contrivance of our body, but some good man in Scripture hath handseled it with prayer.
   --Fuller.

vb. (present participle of handsel English)

See handsel