ˌunderˈmanning,vbl.n. [under-1 10 a.] The fact of furnishing, or being furnished with, too few men or ‘hands’. 1890Nature 3 April 520/2 [They] cannot get on with their work on account of the undermanning of the Department.1901Empire Rev. I. 431 Caused by faults of organisation, rather than by undermanning.