The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Boyar \Bo*yar"\, Boyard \Bo*yard"\, n. [Russ. boi['a]rin'.]
   A member of a Russian aristocratic order abolished by Peter
   the Great. Also, one of a privileged class in Roumania.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: English writers sometimes call Russian landed
         proprietors boyars.
         [1913 Webster]