encroach Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb advance beyond the usual limit
    infringe; impinge.
  2. verb impinge or infringe upon
    impinge; trench; entrench.
    • This impinges on my rights as an individual
    • This matter entrenches on other domains

WordNet

En*croach" intransitive verb
Etymology
OF. encrochier to perch, prop., to hook, fasten a hook (perh. confused with acrochier, F. accrocher, to hook, get hold of, E. accroach); pref. en- (L. in) + F. croc hook. See Crook, and cf. Accroach.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Encroached ; present participle & verbal noun Encroaching
Definitions
  1. To enter by gradual steps or by stealth into the possessions or rights of another; to trespass; to intrude; to trench; -- commonly with on or upon; as, to encroach on a neighbor; to encroach on the highway.
    No sense, faculty, or member must encroach upon or interfere with the duty and office of another. South.
    Superstition, . . . a creeping and encroaching evil. Hooker.
    Exclude the encroaching cattle from thy ground. Dryden.
    Syn. -- To intrude; trench; infringe; invade; trespass.
En*croach" noun
Definitions
  1. Encroachment. Obs. South.

Webster 1913