Encroach

n. Encroachment. [Obs.] South.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. ENCROACHED (en-krōcht'); p. pr. & vb. n. ENCROACHING.] [O. Fr. encroer, encrouer, L. Lat. incrocare, to hang by a hook, from Fr. croc, crochet, hook. See CROOK and ACCROACH.] To enter by gradual steps into the rights and possessions of another; to intrude; to take possession of what belongs to another; to trespass; 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.—Intrude; trench; infringe; invade; trespass.