蚕さん食しょく

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb

encroachment; gradual invasion; making inroads

Describes a slow, steady, piecemeal encroachment, like a silkworm eating a leaf. Often used in political, economic, or territorial contexts. Can be used as a noun or with する as a transitive verb.

• 外がい国こく企き業ぎょうが国こく内ない市し場じょうを蚕さん食しょくしている。

  Foreign companies are gradually encroaching on the domestic market.

• 隣りん国こくの領りょう土ど蚕さん食しょくが続つづいている。

  The neighboring country's gradual territorial encroachment continues.