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 ye Crowne of Fraunce.
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., Prol. b ii b. I make this boke … to thentent that the lordes … shuld nat … haue their landes lost nor imbeselde nor encroched by one from another.
a. 1591. H. Smith, Wks. (1866–7), I. 364. Base-born honours which they have encroached from men.
1605. Verstegan, Dec. Intell. (1634), 115. The Scotish men … did lastly encroach vnto themselues a Kingdome.
1606. G. W[oodcocke], trans. Hist. Ivstine, Hh 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. trans. 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. trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (1846), I. 137. Bie littell ahd 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, Englishman, 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. W. Watreman, Fardle Facions, App. V viij. 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.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 214.
| Than 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, VI. iv. 660. This [Bramble] taketh roote easily … incroching grounde with the toppes of his branches. Ibid., V. lxxix. 648. It incrocheth and winneth more grounde.
† 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.
