or bason, subs. (old).—1.  It was customary when bawds and other infamous persons were carted, for a mob to precede them, beating metal basins, pots, and other sounding vessels, to increase the tumult, and call more spectators together. (NARES): See BRASS-BACON.

1

  1578.  WHETSTONE, Promos and Cassandra, II. iv. 2, s.v.

2

  1591.  HARINGTON, Ariosto, xvii. 89.

        With scornful sound of BASEN, pot, and pan,
They thought to drive him thence, like bees in swarmes.

3

  1602.  DEKKER, The Honest Whore [DODSLEY], Old Plays (REED), iii. 483. Why before her does the BASON ring?

4

  1613.  W. BROWNE, Britannia’s Pastorals, i. 4.

        Then like a strumpet drove me from their cells,
With tinkling PANS, and with the noise of bells.

5

  1630.  JONSON, The New Inn, iv. 3. And send her home Divested to her flannel in a cart. Lat. And let her footman beat the BASON afore her.

6

  2.  (American).—A SCHOONER (q.v.).

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