creep
UK: kriːp | US: kriːp
vi. to move slowly and quietly, often to avoid being noticed
vi. (of plants) to grow along the ground or other surface
n. a person who behaves in an unpleasant or strange way
n. a slow, gradual movement or change
The word "creep" originates from Old English crēopan, meaning "to crawl or move stealthily." It has retained its core sense of slow, deliberate movement over time, expanding metaphorically to describe unsettling behavior ("a creep") or gradual processes ("the creep of inflation"). The word’s simplicity and vivid imagery have kept it stable in English, with minimal morphological change.
The cat began to creep toward the bird silently.
Ivy tends to creep along garden walls.
He’s such a creep—always staring at people.
The fog started to creep over the hills at dusk.
Over time, bureaucracy can creep into efficient systems.