baste1

[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.
Origin
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)

baste2

[beyst] /beɪst/
verb (used with object), basted, basting.
1.
to moisten (meat or other food) while cooking, with drippings, butter, etc.
noun
2.
liquid used to moisten and flavor food during cooking:
a baste of sherry and pan juices.
Origin
1425-75; late Middle English basten, of obscure origin

baste3

[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.
Origin
1525-35; variant of baist, perhaps < Old Norse beysta to beat, thrash
Examples from the web for baste
  • The idea behind adding anchovies on top of this typically dry bird was that the salt and oil would baste the bird while cooking.
  • baste often and add sherry during final minutes of cooking.
  • Add butter and lemon to pan and baste the chicken for another minute.
  • For basting use one-half cup butter melted in one-half cup boiling water and after this is used baste with fat in pan.
  • baste often with one-third cup butter melted in two-thirds cup boiling water.
  • baste with the barbecue sauce and serve at once with any remaining sauce on the side.
  • Remove the lobster, baste well and return to the broiler, reversing the rack's position.
  • When birds are positioned upright on their haunches, they cook evenly, and even baste themselves to some extent.
  • baste chickens once more, then carefully tilt them so juices from cavities run into roasting pan.
  • Then baste the edges of the material to hold it in place.
British Dictionary definitions for baste

baste1

/beɪst/
verb
1.
(transitive) to sew with loose temporary stitches
Word Origin
C14: from Old French bastir to build, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German besten to sew with bast

baste2

/beɪst/
verb
1.
to moisten (meat) during cooking with hot fat and the juices produced
Word Origin
C15: of uncertain origin

baste3

/beɪst/
verb
1.
(transitive) to beat thoroughly; thrash
Word Origin
C16: probably from Old Norse beysta
Word Origin and History for baste
v.

"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).

"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.

"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.)).

Slang definitions & phrases for baste

baste

verb

To strike violently and repeatedly: he basted the dog after it misbehaved (1530s+)