'undershoot' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'shooten,' where 'under-' meant 'below' and 'shoot' meant 'to project or throw.'

'shooten' transformed into the modern English word 'shoot,' and eventually became 'undershoot' by adding the prefix 'under-' to indicate falling short.

Initially, it meant 'to project below a target,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'falling short of a target.'