n. [ Sp. jabegue, formerly spelt xabeque, or Pg. xabeco; both from Turk. sumbeki a kind of Asiatic ship; cf. Per. sumbuk, Ar. sumbūk a small ship. ] (Naut.) A small three-masted vessel, with projecting bow and stern and convex decks, used in the Mediterranean for transporting merchandise, etc. It carries large square sails, or lateen sails, or both. Xebecs were formerly armed and used by corsairs. [ 1913 Webster ]