transgress

verb

Etymology: From Middle English transgressen, from Old French transgresser and Latin transgressus, past participle of transgredior.

1. To exceed or overstep some limit or boundary.

   “surpassing common faith, transgressing nature's law”

   “They sometimes transgressed colonial boundaries, forming border communities with Native Americans and escaped black slaves.”

2. To act in violation of some law.

   “For man will hearken to his glozing lies, And easily transgress the sole command.”

   “There were some young men who transgressed the ḥerem and danced with foreign women [i.e. non-relatives] and forbidden women.”

3. To commit an offense; to sin.

   “Why give you peace to this untemperate beast That hath so long transgressed you?”

4. To spread over land along a shoreline; to inundate.