underhangman

English

Etymology

From under- +‎ hangman.

Noun

underhangman (plural underhangmen)

1. (nonce word, Shakespeare) An assistant or deputy hangman.
   • 1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:

     […] thou wert dignified enough,
     Even to the point of envy, if ’twere made
     Comparative for your virtues, to be styled
     The under-hangman of his kingdom […]