† bumbaste, v. Obs. exc. dial.
Also 6–7 bumbast, bombast(e.
[app. f. bum n.1 + baste v.3: but bum might be a meaningless intensive or reduplicative prefix; cf. next.]
trans. To beat on the posteriors; hence, to flog, beat soundly, thrash.
| 1571 R. Edwards Damon & P. in Dodsley IV. 60, I shall bombast you, you mocking knave. 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Countr. Farm i. xxviii. 146 You must bumbast his buttocks with a good long sticke. 1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 50 We use..to smite and bombaste them (vipers) with rods. 1682 New News fr. Bedlam 56, I am resolved to bumbast him as soon as you are gone. 1731 Bailey II, To bumbaste [of bum and baste, i.e. to beat] to beat or bang. 1847–78 Halliwell, Bumbaste. To beat, or flog. East. |
b. ? To finish off, ‘dispose of’ (a can of liquor).
| 1640 H. Glapthorne Wit. in Constab. v. ii, Here let's canvass This quart and then we'll bumbaste off another. |
Hence bumbasting ppl. a., ‘thumping’, violent.
| 1598 Florio, Rugione, a good drie bumbasting blow. |