to inaugurate by means of some ceremony; to break in

listen to the pronunciation of to inaugurate by means of some ceremony; to break in
English - English
handsel

And it is better undecently to faile in hanseling the nuptiall bed, full of agitation and fits, by waiting for some or other fitter occasion, and more private opportunitie, lest sudden and alarmed, than to fall into a perpetuall miserie, by apprehending an astonishment and desperation of the first refusall.