Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - marsh

 biographical name Dame (Edith) Ngaio 1899-1982 New Zealand writer MARSH  noun  Usage: often attributive  Etymology: Middle English mersh, from Old English merisc, mersc; akin to Middle Dutch mersch ~, Old English mere sea, pool — more at marine  Date: before 12th century a tract of soft wet land usually characterized by monocotyledons (as grasses or cattails)