As far as we are concerned it is to plate iron or steel with a layer of zinc, as protection against rust. Properly it would apply to any type of electro-plating, but usage now has Galvanise for non-electric processes, such as ‘hot-dip’ galvanising’ or even ‘cold galvanising’ in which a zinc-rich paint is brushed on. Now that stainless steel has taken over most of the duties of galvanised mild steel, the most common galvanised item to be seen on boats is the anchor chain, and probably the anchor too. Be that as it may, zinc-plating is still a powerful defence against rust.