verge

Noun

• a grass border along a road

• a ceremonial or emblematic staff

• the limit beyond which something happens or changes
  • on the verge of tears
    
  • on the brink of bankruptcy
    

• a region marking a boundary

Verb

• border on; come close to
  • His behavior verges on the criminal
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  scepter , sceptre , wand , brink , threshold