'balkiness' originates from English, formed from the adjective 'balky' plus the suffix '-ness'; 'balky' in turn is based on the verb/noun 'balk' (Old English 'balca' / Old Norse 'balkr'), where the root meant 'ridge, beam, bank'.

'balkiness' developed via Middle English: Old English 'balca' (meaning 'ridge, beam') became Middle English 'balk' (a beam or obstacle) and 'to balk' (to stop short or refuse), then the adjective 'balky' (refusing to move), and finally the noun 'balkiness' by adding '-ness'.

Initially the root referred to a physical 'ridge' or 'beam', but over time the sense shifted to 'an obstacle' and then to the action 'to stop short or refuse'; 'balkiness' now means 'the tendency to refuse or be uncooperative'.