from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Baston \Bas"ton\ (b[a^]s"t[u^]n), n. [OF. baston, F. b[^a]ton,
LL. basto. See {Bastion}, and cf. {Baton}, and 3d {Batten}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. A staff or cudgel. [Obs.] "To fight with blunt bastons."
--Holland.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Her.) See {Baton}.
[1913 Webster]
3. An officer bearing a painted staff, who formerly was in
attendance upon the king's court to take into custody
persons committed by the court. --Mozley & W.
[1913 Webster]
from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
BASTON. An old French word, which signifies a staff, or club, In some old
English statutes the servants or officers of the wardens of the Fleet are so
called, because they attended the king's courts with a red staff. Vide
Tipstaff.