▪ I. encroach, n.
(ɛnˈkrəʊtʃ)
Also 7 incroch.
[f. encroach v.]
Encroachment; gradual approach.
| 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xxi. (1632) 1000 The further incroch of the French. 1666 J. Smith Old Age (1676) 99 The insensible encroach of age is no where so soon discovered. a 1716 South 12 Serm. (1717) IV. 393 Grew into it by insensible Encroaches. 1920 Conquest Nov. 39/3 Rocks are affected by micro⁓fungi, and may crumble as a result of their encroach into crevices and their subsequent action. 1924 Chambers's Jrnl. Nov. 714/1 From a line square of posts, bordering on the marshes, and on the mud-flats' farthest encroach, the one safe track leads shorewards. |
▪ II. encroach, v.
(ɛnˈkrəʊtʃ)
Forms: α. 4–7 encroch(e, (6 engroche), 6– encroach. β. 5–7 incroch(e, 6 incroatch, (ingroche), 6–8 incroach.
[a. OF. encrochier to seize, also refl. and intr. to perch, fasten upon, f. en- (see en-) + croc hook.]
† 1. trans. To seize, acquire wrongfully (property or privilege). Also absol. Obs.
| α ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 2036 The renkez..Encrochede alle Cristyndome be craftes of armes. 1494 Fabyan, vii. ccxxx. 262 He wolde haue encroched thynges appertaynynge to y⊇ Crowne of Fraunce.. 1523 Fitzherb. Surv. Prol., I make this boke..to thentent that the lordes.. shuld nat..haue their landes lost nor imbeselde nor encroched by one from another. a 1593 H. Smith Wks. (1866–7) I. 364 Base-born honours which they have encroached from men. 1605 Verstegan Dec. Intell. (1634) 115 The Scottish men..did lastly encroach unto themselves a Kingdome. 1606 G. W[oodcocke] tr. Hist. Ivstine H h 6 a The tribute which Iustinius had couetously enchroched. |
| β a 1528 Skelton Death Edw. IV, 51 And more euer to incroche redy was I bent. c 1534 tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. I. 65 Ingroching bootie echewhere plentifullie. 1587 Myrr. for Mag., Brennus iv, Hee warned me I should not seeke t' incroatch That was not mine. |
† b. Law. (See quot.) Obs.
| 1641 Termes de la Ley 135 b, A Rent is said to be encroched, when the Lord by distresse or otherwise compells the tenant to pay more rent than he ought. |
† c. In good or neutral sense: To obtain, gain. Obs. rare.
| c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. A. 1116 Delyt þat his come encroched. Ibid. C. 18 For þay schal comfort encroche in kyþes ful mony. |
2. intr. To trench or intrude usurpingly (esp. by insidious or gradual advances) on the territory, rights, or accustomed sphere of action of others. Also transf. and fig. of things: To make gradual inroads on, extend (its) boundaries at the expense of, something else. Const. on, upon (the territory, rights, etc. invaded, or the person whose rights are infringed); also simply.
| α c 1534 tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 137 Bie littell and littell engroched on the sowthe partes of the Ile. 1600 Hakluyt Voy. (1810) III. 423 See you that you suffer him not to encroch vpon you. 1713 Steele Englishm. No. 29. 185, I shall not encroach upon your Time. 1791 Smeaton Edystone L. §357 The sea encroached upon these cliffs. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 260 Restraining both churches..from encroaching on the functions of the civil magistrate. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 116 He who encroaches shall pay twofold the price of the injury. |
| β 1541 Elyot Image Gov. 155 b, He woulde not suffer his libertines to incroche vpon his possessions. 1660 R. Coke Power & Subj. 136 Laws made by the Kings of this realm did never incroach upon the ghostly power which our Saviour by divine positive institution left only to his Church. 1794 G. Adams Nat. & Exp. Philos. IV. xliv. 201 The nucleus of a spot..often changes its figure, by umbra incroaching irregularly upon it. |
† b. trans. To impose (an unfair burden or condition) upon. Obs. rare—1. (Doubtful: perh. what is used adverbially.)
| 1548 Ld. Somerset Epist. Scots 244 What wil they not encroche vpon you? |
3. intr. To advance, intrude beyond natural or conventional limits. † b. refl. in same sense (obs. rare).
| 1555 Fardle Facions App. 323 When the coueitous manne will encroche beyonde his boundes. 1599 T. M[oufet] Silkwormes 48 Lest heate by stealth encroch it selfe too soone. 1618 Bolton Florus iii. v. 181 Lucius Sulla..shoved the Enemie backe..from encroaching any farther. 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) I. 214 Those that falsly venture to encroach, Where Nature has deny'd them all Approach. 1830 M. Donovan Dom. Econ. I. 3 A state which encroaches beyond the boundaries of sleep. [See also encroaching ppl. a.] |
c. trans. To encroach upon.
| 1578 Lyte Dodoens 660 This [Bramble] taketh roote easily..incroching grounde with the toppes of his branches. Ibid. 648 It incrocheth and winneth more ground. |
† 4. intr. To get oneself connected with. Obs. rare.
| 1579 Gosson Apol. Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 73 Penelopes suters..were glad to encroche with some of her maides. |