1. abs., creep or steal on, approach. “τύμβου προσεῖρπον ἆσσον” S.El.900; of animals, Ar.V. 1509, Plu.2.77f, etc.; of ivy, “παντὶ δένδρῳ π.” Luc.Am.12: metaph., ὁ π. χρόνος, i.e. the time that's coming, Pi.P.1.57, cf. N.7.68 (tm.); πᾶν μοι φοβερὸν τὸ π. every thing that approaches, A.Pr.127 (anap.); τὸ π., also, what is coming, the coming event, S.Aj.227 (lyr.); “αἱ προσέρπουσαι τύχαι” A.Pr.274; “τοὔργον . . δόλῳ προσέρπον” S.OT539; προσέρπει . . τόδ᾽ ἐγγύς, of a paroxysm, Id.Ph.787.
προσέρπω , Dor. ποθέρπω Ti.Locr.97c, Theoc.4.48, 5.37: aor.