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.
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   3. To mark with tar, as sheep. [Prov. Eng.]
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Baste \Baste\, v. t. [OE. basten, OF. bastir, F. b?tir, prob.
   fr. OHG. bestan to sew, MHG. besten to bind, fr. OHG. bast
   bast. See Bast.]
   To sew loosely, or with long stitches; -- usually, that the
   work may be held in position until sewed more firmly. --Shak.
   [1913 Webster] Bastile

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

baste
    n 1: a loose temporary sewing stitch to hold layers of fabric
         together [syn: baste, basting, basting stitch,
         tacking]
    v 1: cover with liquid before cooking; "baste a roast"
    2: strike violently and repeatedly; "She clobbered the man who
       tried to attack her" [syn: clobber, baste, batter]
    3: sew together loosely, with large stitches; "baste a hem"
       [syn: baste, tack]