From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbastebaste /beɪst/ verb [intransitive, transitive] 1 DFCto pour liquid or melted fat over food that is cooking Baste the potatoes occasionally.2 DLHto fasten cloth with long loose stitches, in order to hold it together so that you can sew it later SYN tack→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
baste• Q: Do I need to baste?• A: Some cooks say that basting does nothing to ensure moist meat; others swear by it.• The turkey basted itself in a paper bag in the oven.• Return to the oven for 40 minutes, basting occasionally.• Be sure to baste on both sides.• The cooking period may require full attention, as in stirring, basting, or turning, or it may not.• Not invited, but told, and basted roundly with curses and abuse by the playmaster.• Grill poussins under moderately high heat for 15-20 minutes on each side, basting with the marinade.Origin baste 1. (1500-1600) Origin unknown. 2. (1400-1500) Old French bastir 