Hypertext Webster Gateway: "baston"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Baston \Bas"ton\, n. [OF. baston, F. b[^a]ton, LL. basto. See
{Bastion}, and cf. {Baton}, and 3d {Batten}.]
1. A staff or cudgel. [Obs.] ``To fight with blunt bastons.''
--Holland.
2. (Her.) See {Baton}.
3. An officer bearing a painted staff, who formerly was in
attendance upon the king's court to take into custody
persons committed by the court. --Mozley & W.
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