Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Handfasting"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Handfast \Hand"fast`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Handfasted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Handfasting}.]
To pledge; to bind; to betroth by joining hands, in order to
cohabitation, before the celebration of marriage. [Obs.]
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