en·croach /in-'krōch/ vi [Anglo-French encrocher, probably alteration of acrocher to catch hold of, seize, usurp, from Old French, from a -, prefix stressing goal + croc hook]: to enter esp. gradually or stealthily into the possessions or rights of another
encroach es on an adjoining property
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.