verb. (old).—To encroach; to move slowly.

1

  c. 1696.  B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. INCHING IN, Encroaching upon.

2

  1694–6.  DRYDEN, Ænid, ix.

            With slow paces measures back the field,
And INCHES to the wall.

3

  1725.  A New Canting Dictionary, s. v.

4

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

5

  1868.  BROWNING, The Ring and the Book, i. 118. Like so much cold steel INCHED through his breast-blade.

6