Encroachments (7)
I believe the answer is:
inroads
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">encroachments</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I know this)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for inroads that I've seen before include "large quantities consumed when these are made" , "advances" , "raid" , "Hostile incursions" , "Hostile attacks" .)