v.
(
encroach on/upon)
gradually intrude on (a person's territory, rights, etc.).
▸advance gradually beyond expected limits.
Derivative
- encroacher n.
- encroachment n.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘seize’): from OFr. encrochier ‘seize, fasten upon’, from en- ‘in, on’ + crochier (from croc ‘hook’).
