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encroach

en·croach [ in krṓch, en krṓch ] (past and past participle en·croached, present participle en·croach·ing, 3rd person present singular en·croach·es)


intransitive verb 
Definition:
 
1. trespass on something: to intrude gradually or stealthily, often taking away somebody's authority, rights, or property
is encroaching on civil liberties

2. exceed proper limits: to exceed the proper limits of something

[14th century. < Old French encrochier "seize" < croc "hook" < Old Norse krókr]

en·croach·er noun
en·croach·ing·ly adverb
en·croach·ment noun
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