English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English bicasten, equivalent to be- +‎ cast. Sense of plan, plot due to conflation with costen (to contrive, try). More at costen.

Verb edit

becast (third-person singular simple present becasts, present participle becasting, simple past and past participle becast)

  1. (transitive, obsolete) To cover or surround by casting (something) about.
  2. (intransitive, obsolete) To cast about; plan; plot; contrive.