The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

            One man was basted by the keeper for carrying some
            people over on his back through the waters. --Pepys.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Cookery) To sprinkle flour and salt and drip butter or
      fat on, as on meat in roasting.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To mark with tar, as sheep. [Prov. Eng.]
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

basting \basting\ n.
   1. Loose temporary stitches.

   Syn: baste, tacking.
        [WordNet 1.5]

   2. (Cookery) The act or process of moistening a roast as it
      is cooking.
      [WordNet 1.5]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

basting
    n 1: a loose temporary sewing stitch to hold layers of fabric
         together [syn: baste, basting, basting stitch,
         tacking]
    2: moistening a roast as it is cooking