BASTE

I. transitive verb (~d; basting) Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French bastir, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German besten to patch, Old English bæst bast Date: 15th century to sew with long loose stitches in order to hold something in place temporarily, ~r noun II. transitive verb (~d; basting) Etymology: Middle English baisten Date: 15th century to moisten (as meat) at intervals with a liquid (as melted butter, fat, or pan drippings) especially during cooking, ~r noun III. transitive verb (~d; basting) Etymology: probably from Old Norse beysta; akin to Old English bēatan to beat Date: 1533 to beat severely or soundly ; thrash , to scold vigorously ; berate