Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Inch \Inch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Inched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Inching}.]
   1. To drive by inches, or small degrees. [R.]

            He gets too far into the soldier's grace And inches
            out my master.                        --Dryden.

   2. To deal out by inches; to give sparingly. [R.]