Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Marquis \Mar"quis\, n. [F. marquis, OF. markis, marchis, LL.
   marchensis; of German origin; cf. G. mark bound, border,
   march, OHG. marcha. See {March} border, and cf.
   {Marchioness}, {Marquee}, {Marquess}.]
   A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next
   below that of duke. Originally, the marquis was an officer
   whose duty was to guard the marches or frontiers of the
   kingdom. The office has ceased, and the name is now a mere
   title conferred by patent.

Source : WordNet®

Marquis
     n 1: humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches
          (1878-1937) [syn: {Don Marquis}, {Donald Robert Perry
          Marquis}]
     2: nobleman (in various countries) ranking above a count [syn:
        {marquess}]