Jackson (1916) used this term as a synonym for glabrous;
Hickey & King (2000) and Kiger & Porter (2001) use it for ‘almost hairless’, or almost glabrous;
Hewson (1988) uses it for ‘glabrous, having obviously had an indumentum’;
Webster’s Dictionary defines glabrate as ‘becoming glabrous or smooth with age’, glabrescent. [Not recommended].
Hairy at first, but then glabrous.
Almost glabrous, or becoming so with age.