from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Overreach \O`ver*reach"\ ([=o]`v[~e]r*r[=e]ch"), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. {Overreached}, ({Overraught}, obs.); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Overreaching}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. To reach above or beyond in any direction.
[1913 Webster]
2. To deceive, or get the better of, by artifice or cunning;
to outwit; to cheat. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. To defeat one's own purpose by trying to do too much or by
trying too hard or with excessive eagerness; -- used
reflexively; as, the candidate overreached himself by
trying to plant false rumors, which backfired/
[PJC]