An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Menge

by Friedrich Kluge

Menge, f., ‘crowd, multitude, mass,’ from MidHG. męnege, OHG. męnigî, managî, f., ‘multiplicity, great number, crowd’; an abstract from OHG. manag, ‘much’; Goth. managei, f., AS. męnigo, ‘multiplicity.’ Originally it was not connected with the following word, but in modern times it may be dimly thought to be akin to it.