vbl. sb. [UNDER-1 10 a.] The fact of furnishing, or being furnished with, too few men or ‘hands.’

1

1890.  Nature, 3 April, 520/2. [They] cannot get on with their work on account of the undermanning of the Department.

2

1901.  Empire Rev., I. 431. Caused by faults of organisation, rather than by undermanning.

3