Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Handle \Han"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Handled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Handling} .] [OE. handlen, AS. handian; akin to D. handelen
   to trade, G. handeln. See {Hand}.]
   1. To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the
      hand.

            Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh.
                                                  --Luke xxiv.
                                                  39.

            About his altar, handling holy things. --Milton.

   2. To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield;
      often, to manage skillfully.

            That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper.
                                                  --Shak.

   3. To accustom to the hand; to work upon, or take care of,
      with the hands.

            The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to
            house and handle their colts six months every year.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Temple.

   4. To receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands;
      hence, to buy and sell; as, a merchant handles a variety
      of goods, or a large stock.

   5. To deal with; to make a business of.

            They that handle the law knew me not. --Jer. ii. 8.

   6. To treat; to use, well or ill.

            How wert thou handled being prisoner. --Shak.

   7. To manage; to control; to practice skill upon.

            You shall see how I will handle her.  --Shak.

   8. To use or manage in writing or speaking; to treat, as a
      theme, an argument, or an objection.

            We will handle what persons are apt to envy others.
                                                  --Bacon.

   {To handle without gloves}. See under {Glove}. [Colloq.]

Handling \Han"dling\, n. [AS. handlung.]
   1. A touching, controlling, managing, using, etc., with the
      hand or hands, or as with the hands. See {Handle}, v. t.

            The heavens and your fair handling Have made you
            master of the field this day.         --Spenser.

   2. (Drawing, Painting, etc.) The mode of using the pencil or
      brush, etc.; style of touch. --Fairholt.

Source : WordNet®

handling
     n 1: manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or
          working with something
     2: the action of touching with the hands or the skillful use of
        the hands [syn: {manipulation}]
     3: the management of someone or something; "the handling of
        prisoners"; "the treatment of water sewage"; "the right to
        equal treatment in the criminal justice system" [syn: {treatment}]