Also 7–8 in-. [f. ENCROACH v. + -MENT: in AF. (1437) encrochement.] The action of encroaching, in various senses; spec. in Law (see quot. 1613).
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., 15. But and there shalbe made any new incrochmentes or intackis inclosed or taken in out of the commens.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & F., xxi. 49. Ye thus … Usurpe on vs by meane of encrochement.
1613. R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Encrochment, when the Lord hath gotten and seised of more rent or seruices of his tenant then of right is due.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. iii. 8. The people … being … ready with open armes to receive the encroachments of Error.
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 72. But this Usurper his encroachment proud Stayes not on Man.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. 111. Encroachment of jurisdiction, or calling one coram non judice, to answer in a court that has no legal cognizance of the cause.
1794. G. Adams, Nat. & Exp. Philos., IV. xliv. 201. By these incroachments the nucleus of a spot is divided into two or more nuclei.
1830. H. Rogers, Ess. (1850), II. iv. 199. We … find the Latin element making undue encroachments.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 433. The intervening strip of land, narrower now than then, owing to the encroachment of the waves.
