1. lateen - Noun
2. lateen - Adjective
3. lateen - Adjective Satellite
Of or pertaining to a peculiar rig used in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, esp. on the northern coast of Africa. See below.
Source: Webster's dictionaryThe foresail and mainsail were square; the sail on the mizzen was a triangular sail known as a lateen mizzen. Source: Internet
There is a suggestion that the rig was sometimes used in a lateen style with the top cross spar dipped at an angle to aid sailing to windward i.e. the spar became the luff. Source: Internet