Source : WordNet®

handshaking
     n : grasping and shaking a person's hand (as to acknowledge an
         introduction or to agree on a contract) [syn: {handshake},
          {shake}, {handclasp}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

handshaking
     
        1. Predetermined hardware or software activity designed to
        establish or maintain two machines or programs in
        synchronisation.  Handshaking often concerns the exchange of
        messages or {packet}s of data between two systems with limited
        {buffer}s.  A simple handshaking {protocol} might only involve
        the receiver sending a message meaning "I received your last
        message and I am ready for you to send me another one."  A
        more complex handshaking {protocol} might allow the sender to
        ask the receiver if he is ready to receive or for the receiver
        to reply with a negative acknowledgement meaning "I did not
        receive your last message correctly, please resend it" (e.g. if
        the data was corrupted en route).
     
        {Hardware handshaking} uses voltage levels or pulses on wires
        to carry the handshaking signals whereas {software
        handshaking} uses data units (e.g. {ASCII} characters) carried
        by some underlying communication medium.
     
        {Flow control} in bit-serial data transmission such as
        {EIA-232} may use either hardware or software handshaking.
     
        2. The method used by two {modem}s to establish contact with
        each other and to agreee on {baud rate}, {error correction}
        and {compression} {protocol}s.
     
        3. The exchange of predetermined signals between agents
        connected by a communications channel to assure each that it
        is connected to the other (and not to an imposter).  This may
        also include the use of passwords and codes by an operator.
     
        [{Jargon File}]
     
        (1995-01-13)