Definition of "encroach" in English

verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) to seize, appropriate

2. (intransitive) To intrude unrightfully on someone else’s rights or territory.

   • Now stands the Brere like a lord alone, / Puffed up with pryde and vaine pleasaunce. / But all this glee had no continuaunce: / For eftsones winter gan to approche; / The blustering Boreas did encroche, / And beate upon the solitarie Brere; / For nowe no succoure was seene him nere.
   • I won’t encroach on your time any longer.
   • He never allows work to encroach upon his family life.
   • Gradually the negative feelings encroached into her work.

3. (intransitive) To advance gradually beyond due limits.

noun

1. (rare) Encroachment.