'accumulate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'accumulare,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'cumulare' meant 'to heap up.'

'accumulare' transformed into the French word 'accumuler,' and eventually became the modern English word 'accumulate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to heap up or pile,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to gather or collect gradually.'