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Webster 1913 Edition
Encroach
En-croach′
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Encroached
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Encroaching
.] [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
.] 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.
Syn. – To intrude; trench; infringe; invade; trespass.
En-croach′
,Noun.
Encroachment.
[Obs.]
South.
Webster 1828 Edition
Encroach
ENCROACH
,Verb.
I.
1.
To enter on the rights and possession of another; to intrude; to take possession of what belongs to another, by gradual advances into his limits or jurisdiction, and usurping a part of his rights or prerogatives; with on. The farmer who runs a fence on his neighbor's land, and incloses a piece with his own, encroaches on his neighbor's property. Men often encroach, in this manner, on the highway. The sea is said to encroach on the land, when it wears it away gradually; and the land encroaches on the sea, when it is extended into it by alluvion. It is important to prevent one branch of government from encroaching on the jurisdiction of another.2.
To creep on gradually without right.Superstition--a creeping and encroaching evil.
3.
To pass the proper bounds, and enter on another's rights.Exclude th' encroaching cattle from thy ground.