From under + -ling.

underling (plural underlings)

1. A subordinate, or person of lesser rank or authority.
   • 1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act I, scene ii], lines 140-141:

     The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

   • 1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC ↗:

     "I love not that underlings should perceive my wisdom."

2. A low, wretched person.

• overling

• French: subordonné, sous-fifre
• German: Untergebener, Untergebene, Untertan, Unterling
• Russian: подчинённый