Plat"ing (?), n.

1.

The art or process of covering anything with a plate or plates, or with metal, particularly of overlaying a base or dull metal with a thin plate of precious or bright metal, as by mechanical means or by electro-magnetic deposition.

2.

A thin coating of metal laid upon another metal.

3.

A coating or defensive armor of metal (usually steel) plates.

© Webster 1913.