ETYM Old Eng. basten, Old Fren. bastir, French bâtir, prob. from Old High Germ. bestan to sew, Mid. High Germ. besten to bind, from Old High Germ. bast bast. Related to Bast.
1. To cover with liquid before cooking.
2. To sew together loosely, with large stitches.

(Homonym: based).
Loose temporary stitches; SYN. basting, tacking.