Unterzieher

Unterzieher is a German noun that appears in historical, regional, and dialect sources with several different senses. The term is typically used to refer to an underlayer or base component in clothing or construction, and its exact meaning depends on time and place. In modern standard German, the word is relatively rare and often replaced by more common terms such as Unterwäsche (undergarment) or Unterlage (underlay).

Historically, in clothing and textiles, Unterzieher described an undergarment or base layer worn beneath outer garments. In some contexts it could denote a lining or padding used to give shape or warmth, particularly in men's or military dress of earlier centuries. In upholstery or tailoring contexts, the word could also refer to an underlayer or spacer used to elevate or support fabric components during construction.

In onomastics, Unterzieher exists as a surname in German-speaking regions, though it remains uncommon. As with many compound surnames, its original occupational or descriptive meaning is uncertain and varies by family history.

See also: Unterwäsche, Unterlage, Kleidungsgeschichte.