  The Type~Ia supernova (SN~Ia) 2017cfd in IC~0511 (redshift z = 0.01209+-
0.00016$) was discovered by the Lick Observatory Supernova Search 1.6+-0.7 d
after the fitted first-light time (FFLT; 15.2 d before B-band maximum
brightness). Photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations show that
SN~2017cfd is a typical, normal SN~Ia with a peak luminosity MB ~ -19.2+-0.2
mag, Delta m15(B) = 1.16 mag, and reached a B-band maximum ~16.8 d after the
FFLT. We estimate there to be moderately strong host-galaxy extinction (A_V =
0.39 +- 0.03 mag) based on MLCS2k2 fitting. The spectrum reveals a Si~II lambda
6355 velocity of ~11,200 kms at peak brightness. The analysis shows that
SN~2017cfd is a very typical, normal SN Ia in nearly every aspect. SN~2017cfd
was discovered very young, with multiband data taken starting 2 d after the
FFLT, making it a valuable complement to the currently small sample (fewer than
a dozen) of SNe~Ia with color data at such early times. We find that its
intrinsic early-time (B - V)0 color evolution belongs to the "blue" population
rather than to the distinct "red" population. Using the photometry, we
constrain the companion star radius to be < 2.5 R_sun, thus ruling out a
red-giant companion.
