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.
[1913 Webster]
One man was basted by the keeper for carrying some
people over on his back through the waters. --Pepys.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Cookery) To sprinkle flour and salt and drip butter or
fat on, as on meat in roasting.
[1913 Webster]
3. To mark with tar, as sheep. [Prov. Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
basting \basting\ n.
1. Loose temporary stitches.
Syn: baste, tacking.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. (Cookery) The act or process of moistening a roast as it
is cooking.
[WordNet 1.5]