Where does “underpowered” come from?

underpowered (English) comes from English underpower, from English Power, from Middle English power, from Anglo-Norman poer, from Latin potēre, from Latin posse, from Latin potis, from Proto-Italic potis — to drink.

underpowered (English): Having insufficient power for its operation

Definitions

  1. Having insufficient power for its operation

Ancestry of “underpowered”, step by step

underpowered traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English underpower

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishunderpowerTo supply with insufficient power
2EnglishPowerA button of a computer, a video game console, or...
3Middle EnglishpowerAbility, power or capability
4Anglo-Normanpoer
5Latinpotēre
6Latinpossepresent active infinitive of possum  "to be able...
7Latinpotisable, capable, possible
8Proto-Italicpotismaster, in control of
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpótismaster, ruler; husband
10Proto-Indo-Europeanph₃tis
11Proto-Indo-Europeanpeh₃-to drink

via English powered

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpoweredHaving its own source of power, or a named...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European peh₃-
underpowered — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer