'under-resourced' originates from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'below' or 'not enough' and the word 'resource,' which comes from Old French 'resourse,' meaning 'a source or supply.'

'under-resourced' evolved from the combination of 'under-' and 'resource,' reflecting a state of having fewer resources than necessary.

Initially, it meant 'having fewer resources than needed,' and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.