The process or fact of growing by accretion or addition. Now rare.
Something which grows on or is attached to another by accretion.
((n.) Continuous growth; an accretion.)
Origin:
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Barnabe Barnes (bap. 1571, d. 1609), poet and playwright. From post-classical Latin accrescentia increase, addition from classical Latin accrēscent-, accrēscēns, present participle of accrēscere + -ia; compare -ence.