Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
HANDLE
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English handel, from Old English handle; akin to Old English hand Date: before 12th century a part that is designed especially to be grasped by the hand, something that resembles a handle,
3. title 8, name , hand 11c, the total amount of money bet on a race, game, or event, a means of understanding or controlling , handled adjective handleless adjective
II. verb (handled; handling) Date: before 12th century transitive verb
1. to try or examine (as by touching, feeling, or moving) with the hand , to manage with the hands ,
2. to deal with in writing or speaking or in the plastic arts, to have overall responsibility for supervising or directing ; manage , to train and act as second for (a boxer), to put up with ; stand , to act on or perform a required function with regard to , to engage in the buying, selling, or distributing of (a commodity), intransitive verb to act, behave, or respond in a certain way when handled or directed , handleable adjective