Handful
wiktionary
From Middle English handful, hondful, from Old English handful(“handful”), from Proto-Germanic *handufullō, *handufulliz(“handful”), from Proto-Germanic *handuz(“hand”) + *fullaz(“full”); equivalent to hand + full(“fullness, plenty”) or hand + -ful. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Hondful(“handful”), West Frisian hânfol(“handful”), Dutch handvol(“handful”), German Handvoll(“handful”), Danish håndfuld(“handful”), Swedish handfull(“handful”), Icelandic handfylli(“handful”).
etymonline
handful (n.)
Old English handful "as much as can be held in the open hand;" see hand (n.) + -ful. Also a linear measurement of four inches, a handbreadth (early 15c.). Meaning "a small portion or part" is from mid-15c. Figurative meaning "as much as one can manage" is from 1755; figurative expression have (one's) hands full "have enough to do" is from late 15c. Plural handfulls. Similar formation in German handvoll, Danish haanfuld.
