encroaching

en·croach

E0128500 (ĕn-krōch′)intr.v. en·croached, en·croach·ing, en·croach·es 1. To take another's possessions or rights gradually or stealthily: encroach on a neighbor's land.2. To advance beyond proper or former limits: desert encroaching upon grassland.3. Football To commit encroachment.

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[Middle English encrochen, to seize illegally, from Old French encrochier, to seize : en-, in; see en-¹ + croc, hook (of Germanic origin).]

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en·croach′er n.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

encroaching - gradually intrusive without right or permission; "we moved back from the encroaching tide"; "invasive tourists"; "trespassing hunters"trespassing, invasiveintrusive - tending to intrude (especially upon privacy); "she felt her presence there was intrusive"