BATTEN, in industry a term used in joinery for a board, not more than 4 to 7 in. broad or 3 in. thick, employed for various purposes, such as for strengthening or holding together laths and other wood-work. It is also applied to the strips of wood used in roofing for the fixing of slates or tiles; such battens are usually in sections about 2 by i in. On board ship the name batten is applied to a strip of wood nailed to a mast to prevent rubbing, or to fix down a tarpaulin over a hatchway, in rough weather.