Forms: 6 baast (pa. pple.), 6–7 bast, 6– baste. [Origin unknown: it has been conjectured to be a transferred sense of the next, with idea of ‘stroking’ (Wedgwood), which is not favored by the relative dates of the two words, or to be from Romanic bastire (see BASTE v.1), with general sense of ‘prepare’; but nothing like the special sense occurs in Romanic.]
1. To moisten (a roasting joint, etc.) by the application of melted fat, gravy, or other liquid, so as to keep it from burning, and improve its flavor.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys, I. 100. The fat pygge is baast, the lene cony is brent.
1598. Epulario, C j b. Let it rost sokingly, basting it oft with the foresaid sauce.
1653. Walton, Angler, 159. Let him be … often basted with claret wine.
1741. Compl. Fam. Piece, I. ii. 126. Tie your Lobsters to the Spit alive, baste them with Water and Salt.
1853. Soyer, Pantropheon, 163. Baste it with its own gravy.
b. transf. or fig.
1575. Turberv., Venerie, 61. That I the wine should taste … and so my throte I baste.
1598. E. Gilpin, Skial. (1878), 50. See how he basts himselfe in his owne greace.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., II. iii. 195. That bastes his arrogance with his owne seame.
1883. Gilmour, Mongols, xxiv. 297. Some white flour scones basted in butter.
† 2. To perfuse as with a liniment. Obs.
1570. Levins, Manip., 36. Baste, linire.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Fleas, Put to your water two ounces of Stavesacre … and … baste your dog therewith.
1735. Oldys, Life Ralegh, Wks. 1829, I. 190 (R.). Having had their naked bodies basted or dropped over with burning bacon.
3. In Candle-making: see BASTING vbl. sb.2 2.
4. To mark (sheep) with tar. ‘North.’ (Halliwell.)
1590. Greene, Mourn. Garm. (1616), 2. The prime of his yeeres was in the flowre, and youth sate and basted him Calendes in his forehead]. (Cf. BUIST.)
