encroach

/ɪnˈkroʊtʃ/
verb
  1. To gradually intrude on someone's land, property, rights, or space.
    • New housing developments continue to encroach on the wildlife refuge.
    • He felt that the new rules encroached on his personal freedom.
    • The neighbor's fence encroached three feet onto our property.
  2. To advance beyond usual or acceptable limits, often slowly or stealthily.
    • Work responsibilities started to encroach on her family time.
    • The desert encroaches on the farmland each year.
    • Weeds began to encroach on the garden path.
What does "encroach" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean