1520-30; earlier perhappes, perhapis by haps. See per, hap1, -s1
Examples from the web for perhaps
The living room needs a new coat of paint, perhaps a fresh start for both of you.
These items have the potential to impress the committee and perhaps even set you apart from other candidates.
And perhaps now another box can be checked: the practice of bribing one's way onto the charts.
perhaps the doctor did ask her permission, but she didn't say anything to her husband or family.
If you think you know one bigger in any species listed, you can nominate it, and perhaps unseat the reigning champ.
Some will argue that perhaps he never really understood why his films resonated with an entire generation so profoundly.
The library will look and operate differently, and perhaps provide a different kind of experience for students and faculty.
perhaps the ceaseless vigilance of the police has dramatically reduced the availability of drugs on the street.
perhaps farming them industrially is somewhat more efficient than say fish farming or cattle.
perhaps it's the growing interest in cheeses in general.
British Dictionary definitions for perhaps
perhaps
/pəˈhæps; informal præps/
adverb
1.
possibly; maybe
(as sentence modifier): he'll arrive tomorrow, perhaps, perhaps you'll see him tomorrow
sentence substitute
2.
it may happen, be so, etc; maybe
Word Origin
C16 perhappes, from per by + happes chance, hap1
Word Origin and History for perhaps
adv.
1520s, formed from Middle English per, par "by, through" (see per-) + plural of hap "chance" (see happen), on model of peradventure, perchance, etc. which now have been superseded by this word. Perhappons "possibly, by chance" is recorded from late 15c.