from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Baste \Baste\ (b[=a]st), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Basted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Basting}.] [Cf. Icel. beysta to strike, powder; Sw.
basa to beat with a rod: perh. akin to E. beat.]
1. To beat with a stick; to cudgel.
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One man was basted by the keeper for carrying some
people over on his back through the waters. --Pepys.
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2. (Cookery) To sprinkle flour and salt and drip butter or
fat on, as on meat in roasting.
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3. To mark with tar, as sheep. [Prov. Eng.]
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