underfeed

[ uhn-der-feed uhn-der-feed ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·fed, un·der·feed·ing.

1. to feed feed insufficiently.
2. to feed feed with fuel from beneath.

underfeed

verb

1. to give too little food to
2. to supply (a furnace, engine, etc) with fuel from beneath

noun

1. an apparatus by which fuel, etc, is supplied from below

Word History and Origins

Origin of underfeed¹

First recorded in 1650–60; under- + feed

Example Sentences

The most complacent Britisher cannot hope to draw off the life-blood, and underfeed, and keep it up forever.

From Project Gutenberg

Underfeed your rank and file, and what sort of a fight are you going to put up against your rivals.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a much more serious risk to overfeed the baby than to underfeed him.

From Project Gutenberg

One of these boilers is equipped with a Jones underfeed stoker, and is baffled in the regular way.

From Project Gutenberg

A great many breeders underfeed their young stock to stop growth, which I believe to be a very grave mistake.

From Project Gutenberg