creeping
n.n. moving slowly and steadily, often in a way that feels quiet or slightly worrying. You use it to describe something that happens gradually over time.
n. moving or growing slowly, steadily, and often imperceptibly; frequently carrying a connotation of unease or inevitability.
The fog is creeping across the lake.
Inflation is creeping up on household budgets, making everyday groceries feel more expensive each month.
A sense of dread was creeping into the room as the clock ticked closer to midnight and no one had arrived.
From Middle English crepynge, crepinde, crepende, crepande, from Old English crēopende, from Proto-Germanic kreupandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic kreupaną (“to creep, crawl”), equivalent to creep + -ing.
From Middle English creping, crepynge, from Old English crēopung, equivalent to creep + -ing.