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baste

1
[beyst]
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verb (used with object), bast·ed, bast·ing.

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

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Origin of baste

1
1400–50; late Middle English basten < Anglo-French, Middle French bastir to build, baste < Germanic; compare Old High German bestan to mend, patch for *bastian to bring together with bast thread or string (bast bast + -i- v. suffix + -an infinitive suffix)

baste

2
[beyst]

verb (used with object), bast·ed, bast·ing.

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

noun

liquid used to moisten and flavor food during cooking: a baste of sherry and pan juices.

Origin of baste

2
1425–75; late Middle English basten, of obscure origin

baste

3
[beyst]

verb (used with object), bast·ed, bast·ing.

to beat with a stick; thrash; cudgel.
to denounce or scold vigorously: an editorial basting the candidate for irresponsible statements.

Origin of baste

3
1525–35; variant of baist, perhaps < Old Norse beysta to beat, thrash
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for baste

Historical Examples of baste

British Dictionary definitions for baste

baste

1

verb

(tr) to sew with loose temporary stitches

Word Origin for baste

C14: from Old French bastir to build, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German besten to sew with bast

baste

2

verb

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

Word Origin for baste

C15: of uncertain origin

baste

3

verb

(tr) to beat thoroughly; thrash

Word Origin for baste

C16: probably from Old Norse beysta
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for baste
v.1

"sew together loosely," c.1400, from Old French bastir "build, construct, sew up (a garment), baste, make, prepare, arrange" (12c., Modern French bâtir "to build"), probably from a Germanic source, from Proto-Germanic *bastjan "join together with bast" (cf. Old High German besten; see bast).

v.2

"to soak in gravy, moisten," late 14c., of unknown origin, possibly from Old French basser "to moisten, soak," from bassin "basin" (see basin). Related: Basted; basting.

v.3

"beat, thrash," 1530s, perhaps from the cookery sense of baste (v.2) or from some Scandinavian source (e.g. Swedish basa "to beat, flog," bösta "to thump") akin to Old Norse beysta "to beat," and related to Old English beatan (see beat (v.)).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper