Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Baste \Baste\ (b[=a]st), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Basted}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Basting}.] [Cf. Icel. beysta to strike, powder; Sw.
   basa to beat with a rod: perh. akin to E. beat.]
   1. To beat with a stick; to cudgel.

            One man was basted by the keeper for carrying some
            people over on his back through the waters. --Pepys.

   2. (Cookery) To sprinkle flour and salt and drip butter or
      fat on, as on meat in roasting.

   3. To mark with tar, as sheep. [Prov. Eng.]

Source : WordNet®

basting
     n 1: loose temporary stitches [syn: {baste}, {tacking}]
     2: moistening a roast as it is cooking