Old English heap "pile, great number, multitude" (of things or persons), from West Germanic *haupaz (cognates: Old Saxon hop, Old Frisian hap, Middle Low German hupe, Dutch hoop, German Haufe "heap"), perhaps related to Old English heah "high." Slang meaning "old car" is attested from 1924. As a characteristic word in American Indian English speech, "a lot, a great deal," by 1832.

Old English heapian "collect, heap up, bring together;" from heap, n.. Related: Heaped; heaping. Compare Old High German houfon "to heap."