underking

Noun

(plural underkings)

An inferior or subordinate king; a viceroy.

Origin

From Middle English underking, from Old English undercing, undercyning (“under-king, viceroy”), equivalent to under- +‎ king. Cognate with Dutch onderkoning (“viceroy”), German Unterkönig (“underking”), Danish onderkonge (“underking”), Swedish underkung (“underking”).