also hardheaded, 1580s, "stubborn," from hardhead "dull person" (1510s), from hard (adj.) + -headed. Meaning "practical, shrewd" is attested from 1779. Compare Dutch hardhoofdig "stupid."
hard-cover
harden
hardened
hardener
hard-fought
hard-headed
hard-hearted
hardihood
hard-line
hardly
hardness