- advancing beyond proper, accepted, or usual limits; making gradual inroads into or onto something: We cleared out the encroaching weeds along the edge of the driveway and trimmed the plantain trees.
- trespassing on the property, domain, or rights of another, especially stealthily or gradually: The hill forts in the British Isles were probably built by the native Britons to defend themselves against encroaching enemy tribes.
