harsh

Etymology

From Middle English harsk, harisk(e), hask(e), herris. Century derived the term from Old Norse harskr (whence Danish harsk (“rancid”), dialectal Norwegian hersk, Swedish härsk); the Middle English Dictionary derives it from that and Middle Low German harsch (“rough”, literally “hairy”) (whence also German harsch), from haer (“hair”), from Old Saxon hār, from Proto-West Germanic *hār; the Oxford Dictionary of English derives it from Middle Low German alone.

adj

1. Unpleasantly rough to the touch or other senses.
2. Severe or cruel.
   harsh decision
   harsh penalty
   harsh teacher
   harsh rule
   harsh ruling
   Great news for City, but the result was harsh on Neil Warnock's side who gave as good as they got even though the odds were stacked against them. November 5, 2011, Phil Dawkes, “QPR 2 - 3 Man City”, in BBC Sport

verb

1. (intransitive, slang) To negatively criticize.
   Quit harshing me already, I said that I was sorry!
   Stop harshing on yourself. Who said you're the ugly sister? 2008, An Na, The Fold
   “Stop harshing on me, Daddy.” “Harshing?” “Don't yell at me. I didn't do anything.” 2009, Richard Powers, Gain
2. (transitive, slang) To put a damper on (a mood).
   Dude, you're harshing my buzz.
   On their third date, Lizzie had actually said to him, "You're sort of harshing my mellow." It made him wonder if she might be stupid, and not just young. 1999, Kurt Andersen, Turn of the century, page 508
   "They're mostly mercenaries these days. But whose?" "Serbian mercenaries? You're harshing my groove, man. I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that...." 2003, Robert Ludlum, The Janson Directive, page 355
   "Getting back to the issue of the child," Tina said, harshing our buzz as usual, "I really think you should reconsider...." 2006, MaryJanice Davidson, Undead and Unpopular, page 776
   He's totally harshing my vibe," Lila said airily. "Someone should tell him to get over himself. He's lucky I even invited him!" 2008, Kate William, Francine Pascal, Secrets - Page 70