in law, one of the servants to the warden of the Fleet prison, who attends the king's courts with a red staff, for taking into custody such as are committed by the court. He also attends on such prisoners as are permitted to go at large by licence.

Baston, or Batoon, in architecture, a moulding in the base of a column, called also a tore.

Baston, or Batoon, in heraldry, a kind of bend, having only one third of the usual breadth.

The baston does not go from side to side, as the bend or scarf does, being in the form of a truncheon. Its use is a note or mark of bastardy. See Plate LI. fig. 9.