baste

¹ American  

[beyst] / beɪst /

verb (used with object)

basted, basting

1. to sew with long, loose stitches, as in temporarily tacking together pieces of a garment while it is being made.

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baste ² American  

[beyst] / beɪst /

verb (used with object)

basted, basting

1. to moisten (meat or other food) while cooking, with drippings, butter, etc.

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noun

1. liquid used to moisten and flavor food during cooking.

   a baste of sherry and pan juices.

baste ³ American  

[beyst] / beɪst /

verb (used with object)

basted, basting

1. to beat with a stick; thrash; cudgel.

2. to denounce or scold vigorously.

   an editorial basting the candidate for irresponsible statements.

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baste ¹ British  

/ beɪst /

verb

1. (tr) to sew with loose temporary stitches

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baste ² British  

/ beɪst /

verb

1. to moisten (meat) during cooking with hot fat and the juices produced

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baste ³ British  

/ beɪst /

verb

1. (tr) to beat thoroughly; thrash

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Etymology

Origin of baste¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English basten, from Anglo-French, Middle French bastir “to build, baste,” from Germanic; compare Old High German bestan “to mend, patch,” Middle High German besten “to lace, tie”; bast

Origin of baste²

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English basten, baist, of obscure origin; perhaps from Old French, Middle French basser “to soak (bread), moisten (meat)”

Origin of baste³

First recorded in 1525–35; variant of baist, perhaps from Old Norse beysta “to beat, thrash”; perhaps from baste ² ( def. ) (the ladle for cooking used as a weapon)

Explanation

When cooks baste food, they brush or drizzle a savory liquid on it as it's cooking. If you baste your Thanksgiving turkey while it bakes, it will stay moist and tender. A chef might baste grilled vegetables with their marinade, or baste roasting meat with its own oily drippings. The technique keeps food from drying out as it cooks. Another meaning of baste is "to sew loosely." You might quickly baste the hem of a curtain before stitching it securely in place. The origin of the culinary baste is a bit of a mystery, but the sewing term comes from the Old French bastir, "construct" or "sew up."

Example Sentences

You baste every 30 minutes before removing the cheesecloth to cook uncovered to burnish the skin.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023

Cook and baste the fish until the thickest parts reach 115°F to 120°F, or are nearly opaque when cut into, 2 to 3 minutes.

From Washington Times • May 19, 2023

To add to the flavour, Taylor’s preferred liquid to baste the turkey with is coffee, butter and maple syrup.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2022

Add the butter, chorizo, chives, parsley and dill, and as the butter starts to foam, baste the scallops for about 30 seconds.

From Washington Post • Jul. 5, 2022

Put a little water in the pan, and baste frequently, but do not roast too rapidly; raise the pan at least two inches from the bottom of the range.

From Clayton's Quaker Cook-Book Being a Practical Treatise on the Culinary Art Adapted to the Tastes and Wants of all Classes by Clayton, H. J.

Related Words

• grease