Describes actions or methods that are physically rough, forceful, or lacking gentleness. Often used for handling things or treating people.
He broke the box with rough handling.
The police's heavy-handed investigation became an issue.
Standard kanji spelling.
Kana spelling is acceptable and common in informal writing.
Compound of 手 (hand, method) and 荒 (rough, violent). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning is transparent from its components.