'galvanize' originates from Italian, specifically from the name 'Galvani' (Luigi Galvani), which gave rise to the scientific term 'galvanismo' and the English noun 'galvanism'.

'galvanize' developed in English in the early 19th century from 'galvanism' (the study/phenomena named after Galvani); the verb form was coined to describe applying electrical current or stimulating in the manner of Galvani's experiments and later broadened in use.

Initially, it meant 'to subject to electric current or to stimulate electrically' (from Galvani's experiments); over time it broadened to mean 'to shock or stimulate into action' and also acquired the metallurgical sense 'to coat with zinc'.