Encroach

Part of speech: noun (n.)

Encroachment. [Obs.] South.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

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.

Synonyms: intrude; trench; infringe; invade; trespass.